This refers to the long axis strokes. I know many (including myself) have better strokes on one side than the other (the latter is often the breathing side), but I wonder how predominant this case is among master swimmers. Also interesting would be whether some have been able to correct this problem through either drills or sheer hard effort.
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Former Member
When I swam in HS and College I was very much bilateral, but after 15 years off and coming back I like to breathe mostly to the right. I find when I swim FAST/HARD parts of sets I can bi-lateral breathe until I get into "air sucking mode" and then its one side. When I do distance too I breathe almost exclusively to my right.
That being said I still work on bilateral breathing when doing pulling and drills. One good drill is one arm freestyle with one arm at your side and breathe to the side with your arm down (opposite breathing one-arm free)
When I swam in HS and College I was very much bilateral, but after 15 years off and coming back I like to breathe mostly to the right. I find when I swim FAST/HARD parts of sets I can bi-lateral breathe until I get into "air sucking mode" and then its one side. When I do distance too I breathe almost exclusively to my right.
That being said I still work on bilateral breathing when doing pulling and drills. One good drill is one arm freestyle with one arm at your side and breathe to the side with your arm down (opposite breathing one-arm free)
