FREESTYLE SWIMMING: 5 MOST COMMON MISTAKES

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide to correcting common freestyle swimming mistakes. It focuses on fixing arm stroke technique, proper breathing methods, and improving overall body position in the water. Key tips include maintaining a high elbow during the stroke, turning the forearm inside, and timing your breath to avoid disrupting your stroke. The video also highlights the importance of correct kicking technique and efficient arm strokes for increased speed and energy conservation. With dryland exercises and drills, swimmers can master these techniques to enhance their performance and enjoy smoother, faster swimming.

Takeaways

• 😀 Correct arm stroke technique is crucial for efficient freestyle swimming. A low elbow position prevents proper water catch and reduces speed.
• 😀 To fix a low elbow in the arm stroke, make sure your forearm is turned inward and your elbow is pointing upwards during the first phase of the stroke.
• 😀 A common mistake is performing arm strokes with the wrong forearm position, which makes swimming harder and inefficient.
• 😀 Practicing dryland exercises like using a chair or bench can help you get the correct feeling of a proper arm stroke technique.
• 😀 When taking a breath, make sure to breathe during the recovery phase of the arm stroke, not while performing the stroke itself.
• 😀 The timing of the breath and arm stroke is essential; wait until your head returns to a neutral position before starting a new stroke.
• 😀 Lifting your head to breathe is a major mistake. It causes your body to sink, slowing you down. Instead, turn your head to the side to take a breath.
• 😀 To learn correct side breathing, practice on land first by imagining your body rotating on a fixed axis and keeping your head horizontal.
• 😀 Short arm strokes waste energy and slow you down. Focus on long, smooth strokes to improve your swimming efficiency.
• 😀 Kicking with straight legs and minimal knee bending reduces water resistance and helps maintain speed without excessive energy expenditure.
• 😀 Vertical kicking drills are an effective way to improve kicking technique and develop the correct leg position for freestyle swimming.

Q & A

What is one of the most common mistakes swimmers make during the arm stroke?

A common mistake is performing an arm stroke with a low elbow position, which reduces the swimmer's ability to catch as much water and affects the efficiency of the stroke.

How can swimmers correct the low elbow position in their arm stroke?

Swimmers can correct this by ensuring that their forearm is turned inside at the beginning of the arm stroke, with the elbow pointing upwards. This position allows them to catch more water and pull efficiently.

Why is the forearm position so important for an effective arm stroke?

The forearm position is crucial because if it isn't turned inside with the elbow pointed upwards, the swimmer won't be able to properly catch the water, leading to inefficient swimming and increased energy expenditure.

What is the mistake swimmers make when taking a breath while performing an arm stroke?

Swimmers often make the mistake of turning their body too much to the side while performing the arm stroke, causing the arm to lose its proper trajectory and reducing the effectiveness of the stroke.

How can swimmers correct their breathing technique during freestyle swimming?

Swimmers should aim to breathe when the arm is in recovery, while the other arm is in front. This ensures that the arm stroke follows the correct trajectory, and the swimmer maintains control of the movement while breathing.

What timing rule is important when performing an arm stroke and taking a breath?

The important timing rule is that a swimmer should only start a new arm stroke when their head is back in the neutral position after taking a breath. This ensures that the swimmer is in the correct body position to perform the next stroke.

What is the issue with lifting the head up too high for breathing during freestyle swimming?

Lifting the head up to breathe can cause the body to drop into the water, significantly slowing down swimming speed and creating unnecessary resistance. It also makes breathing more uncomfortable and energy-draining.

What is a recommended drill to improve side breathing technique?

A good drill for practicing side breathing is kicking against the wall, where one hand is extended in front and the other is at the swimmer's side. This helps swimmers develop the habit of turning the head only to the side without lifting it too high.

Why is performing long arm strokes important in freestyle swimming?

Long arm strokes are crucial because they help swimmers maintain speed and efficiency, prevent quick fatigue, and allow them to swim more smoothly. This is especially important for triathletes who need to conserve energy for the next race segments.

What is the mistake swimmers make with their leg movements during freestyle swimming?

A common mistake is bending the knees too much while kicking. This creates excessive drag and slows down the swimmer. The correct kicking technique involves straightening the legs, keeping them relaxed, and performing kicks with a small amplitude.