i know there has been a number of posts/threads on this topic and i did search the archives, but i still wanted to post this thread. ok, so i've been trying to learn freestyle since 2005, and i still haven't got the breathing right. this has been really frustrating for me. i practice almost every day on a pool that is about 5' 5'' deep at one end. i have done a lot of research-hours of youtubing and checking out swimfast dvds have resulted in nothing! i've invested about $200 into private lessons, with no significant output! my goal is very simple-to swim freestyle laps in a 25 yard pool; is that asking for too much? i'm not interested in the other difficult strokes! i think my problem lies in the fact that i don't breathe out air completely before breathing in! are there any drills to work on that? also, some swimmers say that breath out through your nose, and some say through your mouth-i'm confused! if anyone can help me out, i'd really appreciate it! i want to learn this thing, and as you can see, i don't want to give up! TIA!
Parents
Former Member
Definitely start training yourself to relax more in the pool. You are thinking way too much about it.
The one drill that I feel will help you breathe better is a simple one we all do once in a while... it's the six kicks and pull drill. Take one freestyle stroke and then kick 6 times - while you are kicking, you will be on your side and you can put your head out of the water to breathe everytime you do a stroke (one arm is extended out in front and the other will be by your hip while you kick - you will obviously breathe to the side that your arm is by your hip). Take it slow, feel the water and calm down. Put some fins on if you have a weak kick and need some more power or leverage. It will come naturally for you in time. If you are still having trouble after this, I'd just switch to backstroke.
;)
Definitely start training yourself to relax more in the pool. You are thinking way too much about it.
The one drill that I feel will help you breathe better is a simple one we all do once in a while... it's the six kicks and pull drill. Take one freestyle stroke and then kick 6 times - while you are kicking, you will be on your side and you can put your head out of the water to breathe everytime you do a stroke (one arm is extended out in front and the other will be by your hip while you kick - you will obviously breathe to the side that your arm is by your hip). Take it slow, feel the water and calm down. Put some fins on if you have a weak kick and need some more power or leverage. It will come naturally for you in time. If you are still having trouble after this, I'd just switch to backstroke.
;)
