Learn To Swim Freestyle | A Simple Step-By-Step Guide

Summary

This video offers a detailed guide to mastering freestyle swimming, also known as front crawl. It emphasizes the importance of body position to reduce drag, with a focus on maintaining a streamlined form and proper head position. The tutorial covers the arm movement, including the catch, pull, and recovery phases, and explains the breathing technique that synchronizes with the arm movements. It also addresses the leg kick, suggesting it should be hip-driven and not knee-driven. Lastly, the video touches on the advanced skill of body rotation to enhance the stroke's power and reach, advising beginners to focus on fundamentals before incorporating rotation.

Takeaways

• 🏊‍♂️ Freestyle, also known as front crawl, is the most popular swimming stroke and can be improved by anyone.
• 🧊 Body position is crucial for reducing drag while swimming; aim to be as streamlined as possible.
• 👀 Proper head position prevents the hips and legs from sinking, which increases drag.
• 🤚 Hand entry and alignment are key for an effective arm stroke, starting with the 'catch'.
• 💪 The pull phase should involve a strong elbow position, pulling back towards your feet.
• 🖐 The recovery phase should be seamless, with the arm exiting the water and re-entering smoothly.
• 🌬️ Breathing should be rhythmic and integrated with the stroke, not held.
• 👃 Freestyle breathing involves turning the head and body to one side, not lifting the head upwards.
• 🦵 The leg kick should be an alternating movement originating from the hips, not the knees.
• 🔄 Rotation is an advanced technique that uses back muscles for more power and reach.
• 🔄 Practice the fundamentals first, then add rotation for a more powerful stroke.

Q & A

What is the most popular swimming stroke known as?

The most popular swimming stroke is freestyle, also known as front crawl.

Why is body position important in freestyle swimming?

Body position is fundamental in freestyle swimming to reduce drag and maintain a streamlined shape throughout the stroke.

What is the correct head position to reduce drag in freestyle swimming?

To reduce drag, swimmers should hold their head in a neutral position, looking almost directly at the pool floor below, instead of lifting it to breathe or look ahead.

How should the arm movement in freestyle swimming begin?

The arm movement in freestyle begins with the hand entering the water outstretched and in line with the shoulders, aiming to pull back through the water towards the feet.

What is the 'catch' in the context of freestyle swimming?

The 'catch' is the initial part of the arm stroke in freestyle swimming where the hand enters the water and slightly presses down with a high elbow.

What is the recommended elbow flex for the pull phase in freestyle swimming?

During the pull phase in freestyle swimming, there should be a 90 to 120° flex in the elbow.

How should the arm recovery phase in freestyle swimming be executed?

The arm recovery phase should start by lifting the hand and arm out of the water, led by the elbow, using the forward and outward movement to drive the hand forward into the water.

How does one breathe while swimming freestyle?

In freestyle swimming, one should breathe to either side of the body, rotating the head and body to present the mouth to the air without lifting the head to the sky.

What is the recommended breathing pattern in freestyle swimming?

The recommended breathing pattern in freestyle swimming is to breathe every three strokes, but if needed, one can breathe every two strokes and switch sides often.

How should the leg kick in freestyle swimming be performed?

The leg kick in freestyle swimming should be an alternating up and down movement, mostly coming from the hips with a soft bend in the knee and a flick of the ankle.

What is the significance of body rotation in freestyle swimming?

Body rotation in freestyle swimming allows swimmers to use their large back muscles for more power, reach further on the catch, and reduce their surface area through the water.

How should a swimmer progress in learning freestyle technique?

A swimmer should focus on the fundamentals such as the catch, pull, kick, and breathing first. Once comfortable, they can add rotation to their stroke for more efficiency.