Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

Or even some videos? I thought this used to be taught more vs. the head being straight down. Or is a high head position mutually exclusive from elite swimming? I can't seem to get any comfort putting my head down so wondered if I could give up and emulate others with more this style. Head position is something personal. If you feel more comfy with a higher head position then so be it. As long as your body postition doesn't suffer from it.

I can't seem to get any comfort putting my head down so wondered if I could give up and emulate others with more this style. Herb, You may enjoy this article. ... We want your head oriented on your spine just as if you were standing at attention—imagine a skewer run through the crown of your head...I read it with great interest after learning about the new ways people were swimming in the 1990's. Head position in "neutral", and more of a front quadrant style became quite popularly coached. The key point is in reducing form drag. For some reason the head forward style was promoted back in the 70's and 80's based on the theory that the torso might ride higher in the water as in a hydro-plane effect. It's all hooey. Don't try to do it. :)

Since I have a weak kick would that sink my hips further, or is that a chicken and the egg where my weak kick (and maybe body fat) leads to a higher head position? I doubt it. In fact, I think people with a weak kick would definitely NOT want a high head position. I have a feeling sprinters with great kicks can get away with a high head. Holding your head high is going to affect your leg position, but if you have a strong enough kick to keep your legs up it negates this problem. Everyone else should try their best to look straight down at the bottom of the pool and be sure not to lift the head while breathing.

What is the benefit in looking forward? The only thing which looks logical is that you get higher body position though you need a strong kick to avoid drag as it was mentioned. Any other benefits?

It's hard to break old habits!

What is the benefit in looking forward? The only thing which looks logical is that you get higher body position though you need a strong kick to avoid drag as it was mentioned. Any other benefits? Probably not, but for me my stroke feels like it falls apart as I have no feel for my arm position and hand entry. I basically lose recognition and control of most all other aspects of the stroke. It's no doubt a problem though so I need to at least inch towards an improvement. Maybe I can get away with it more if I at least stop lifting my head further to breathe.

I loved the video of Inge in the 50 free. Herb, you were right, she kicked bootie. Watching it, I was struck by the two swimmer's different catches. Inge was immediately into propulsion as her fingers touched water, but the closer swimmer has a very short pause on entry, causing a touch more drag. Both of them can kick my rear, probably even at my fastest. Maybe Inge would have been faster yet with a more neutral head position..... getting back to the thread. Interesting thought.

YouTube - ‪Michael Phelps - Swimming 04‬‏ Phelps' head is actually under water for a descent percentage of his cruise stroke. Head should be neutral to just looking ahead 1-2 feet. I think looking farther forward will start dropping hips. the sprinters seems to have a higher head position only because they are riding so high, but their neck spines look very much in line.

www.olympic.org/swimming-100m-freestyle-women Marleen Veldhuis, lane 5, She looks forward too.