Efficient Freestyle - Lesson 1 - Reduce Drag & Swim With Better Balance

[@aakashsonkusare69]

thats very effective technique, thanks

[@sunil951]

thank you.. i will try

[@patrickshields6620]

Brilliant. I think this will help me with my right leg drop as I think you're right in that the drop is happening because I am not maintaining reach of my right arm when breathing to my left. Once my head is back in the water my right arm is coming out of the water following its catch. I think this is causing my imbalance and my right leg to drop significantly. I will practice this coming week. Thank you!

[@SwimSmart]

Good luck, have fun and be patient... changing your technique takes time but these focused drills will help. Let us know once you have made some progress with this!

[@beverleyhynes3053]

Are you supposed to breathe through your nose or your mouth when under water?

[@gills77]

When under water, you will breathe out the air through your nose and mouth. The reason for this is to make sure you aren't allowing opportunity for water to come into your nose or mouth! Then, when it's time to take in air, you either bring your head up or turn to the side as he shows here.

[@beverleyhynes3053]

@@gills77 thanks for the advice.

[@gills77]

@@beverleyhynes3053 good luck, you got it!!!

[@beverleyhynes3053]

@@gills77 🙂

[@crentistDaDentist]

@@gills77easy for u to say u say you breath through your gills

[@TDZone70]

Coach, when I try to lift my head to breath, my head doesn't come out of the water high enough for a breath. It's like I'm riding low in the water. Any suggestions?

[@SwimSmart]

Darren Thomas is this when you swim normally, or only when you try this kicking/balance drill?

[@TDZone70]

@@SwimSmart I tend to ride low swimming normally and doing the kicking balance drill. I have heard people say to kick harder when you raise your head, but this doesn't seem to stop my legs from sinking.

[@SwimSmart]

Darren Thomas okay the first thing I would try is not kicking harder, but aim to make your kick consistent. It’s very common to stop kicking when breathing. Think small and fast tempo but not powerful. Like spinning an easy gear on your bike. Other than that, you might be tucking your head too far down, or your hands too deep under the surface. Check the ‘Why do my legs sink?’ video. Forget about the legs, but try to feel if your upper back and the top of your head are out of the water, or under, when you float.

[@TDZone70]

@@SwimSmart Coach, I practice swimming tomorrow. I will try doing a more consistent kick. Hopefully it will help. I saw your video about sinking legs and as I was watching the video, I kept thinking that to myself, "He makes it look easy. I can't seem to do this. " Thanks for the tip about kicking. I appreciate it.

[@SwimSmart]

Darren Thomas Happy to help. Let me now how you get on. Either comment here or send me an email and we can try to figure it out together.