I took lessons when I was a kid and never mastered the breathing technique for freestyle swimming so I gave up on swimming. Now it is 30 yrs later and I am determined to learn how to swim and have been taking a group class at the local natatorium.
I have been making a lot of progress and learning things that I don't remember from my childhood lessons (keep your chin to your chest, making the S-pattern during the pull stroke, etc). I have also been focused on rolling of the body more - and especially rolling to breathe so that my head is on my left arm/shoulder (breathing to the right).
However, I'm still struggling with the breathing in that I am sucking in water and end up choking. I've had multiple people watch me and they say that my form looks good and even the part when I roll to breathe - but they are unsure at what point I am getting water in my mouth.
It's been hard for me to figure it out - here's some of my thoughts - it's a bit hard to self-diagnose and so far the people watching are not catching it -
Is the timing of the opening and closing of my mouth just a bit off that I am sucking water when I turn to breathe and return to face down?
I'm not the best at exhaling underwater so I wonder if I'm trying to exhale and inhale during the short time that I am turned?
Do I need to turn my head more (look at ceiling)?
Am I slowly sucking in water when my face is down since I'm not exhaling correctly?
Any thoughts on how I can figure this out or other things to look for?
Thanks
Mike
May I ask where you are taking lessons? Is the instructor a swim coach?
The S pull pattern is fairly old school. I'm sure there are successful and fast people out there that use that style but it's not current technique. I also would be concerned about the idea of the chin to the chest. Think about having a neutral head (ie - a pilates type head position). Then adjust it slightly as needed.
As for the breathing, it's one of the first things I work on with beginning swimmers. Exhaling under water is very important, as is relaxing. The more comfortable you get in the water the easier the breathing aspect becomes. Make sure when you go to breathe that you roll your hips as well as your shoulders so that you are rolling into your breath.
Remember, like anything else it takes a lot of practice to master. Keep working on it. Some drills you might want to try include single arm swimming. Do 25s only using one arm. Keep the opposite arm at your side. Try breathing to the side you are stroking on for a 25 then the opposite side for a 25. This drill takes a LONG time to master but will help you get the feel of rotating enough to breathe. I warn you though, you will feel like you are drowning at first.
Keep working hard and keep us updated!
May I ask where you are taking lessons? Is the instructor a swim coach?
The S pull pattern is fairly old school. I'm sure there are successful and fast people out there that use that style but it's not current technique. I also would be concerned about the idea of the chin to the chest. Think about having a neutral head (ie - a pilates type head position). Then adjust it slightly as needed.
As for the breathing, it's one of the first things I work on with beginning swimmers. Exhaling under water is very important, as is relaxing. The more comfortable you get in the water the easier the breathing aspect becomes. Make sure when you go to breathe that you roll your hips as well as your shoulders so that you are rolling into your breath.
Remember, like anything else it takes a lot of practice to master. Keep working on it. Some drills you might want to try include single arm swimming. Do 25s only using one arm. Keep the opposite arm at your side. Try breathing to the side you are stroking on for a 25 then the opposite side for a 25. This drill takes a LONG time to master but will help you get the feel of rotating enough to breathe. I warn you though, you will feel like you are drowning at first.
Keep working hard and keep us updated!
