Current Swimmer indicates the proper head position is 'low' in the water, more or less the oncoming water seeing the top of your head.
On the other hand, many tell me to have the water line break the forehead, thus a higher head position than shown as 'right' in Swimmer (page 25).
Advice to look to the bottom of the pool rather than forward plays into this matter.
Any consensus here?
Former Member
Your head weighs about ten pounds
Wookie's doesn't.
A coach can tell you what position is the best for efficiency (not necessarily comfort). A swimmer's head position can work to balance the body correctly. Some swimmers float their hips too high and I know that sounds strange but it negatively influences an effective kick and to combat that the swimmer may need to lift their head up. So each swimmer will be different and the comfort level of a head position is indeed a factor but if you want to swim your best, have a coach look at your stroke and give you some pointers.
I have to concentrate on head position when I breathe.
When I start getting tired, I devolve into a position whereby I tip my head toward the lane line when I take a breath. I figured out that I do this because I can get a bigger gulp of air. But in doing this, it changes how my arm on my breathing side enters the water after the breath. I don't get as strong of a "reach" after my hand enters the water (and that arm enters with more of a slap than it should.) I become aware that I'm doing this because I can hear and feel the slap, so at least I can work to correct it...
And when that arm doesn't enter or pull as well, it telegraphs down to the way I kick with the leg on that side. It kicks out slightly to compensate for what's going on with my arm.
And therefore for me, a very simple think like a slight change in head position manifests itself in my stroke from fingertip to toe.
I think...
looking straight ahead, having the water line break on the forehead, is not good at all, for anybody.
looking straight down (nose pointed at the bottom) works for some, maybe even most.
looking at a 45, more or less, works for others, namely me. For a while last winter, I swam looking straight down and my coach caught it one evening and specifically told me to correct it because I was sinking the front end of my body. This YouTube - Michael Phelps freestyle multi angle camera has been pulled out a million times on this forum, but looking at it again on the side view, Phelps clearly does a 45 head position.
Head position is not the same for everyone. It depends on many things the main thing is body bouyancy. A high floater may have to raise the head. Are you in fresh or salt water, salt water swimmers may have to keep the head higher to keep their legs kicking in the water and not in the air.
Any one who says it has to be in a certain position is wrong. It must be determined by your body structure, your stroke, where the hand catches and finishes, and your elbow postion above the water.
Everything has to synergize and work well together.
