Freestyle Swimming: How To Swim A Smooth

[@EffortlessSwimming]

What's your biggest takeaway from Dan's stroke? Let me know in the comments below ⬇⬇⬇

[@kerambeach]

I can see that i need to speed up my catch a little bit. Hard to compare yourself to an olympian who swim 1.48 for 200 m😬.

[@kevinabalo]

No necessity to bi-lateral breathe … . Suits me !!

[@DonostiGros]

Definitely the pull action, it's so powerful. It's something my coach always insists on. We tend to try to pull hard too early on… Perfect form, very impressive.

[@alexfinn7989]

Swimming can be easy (at least easier than the way I am swimming now).

[@artem1969]

This is an amazing technique, thx for sharing and your analysis. Everything from his extremely streamlined body position, to the early vertical catch, the powerful stroke, the synchronization of the gentle kicks and hand entries... the list just goes on. And I still just can't imagine how Dan manages to swim 1:10 with such seemingly relaxed technique. Obviously, takes years to perfect it.

[@avarmauk]

I'm in awe of how smooth your strokes are. I look like I'm possessed by demons when I swim.

[@FrekeOne]

it´s the only way when all the little girls with skinny arms are overtaking us, so annoying I think.

[@brucejohnston6184]

​@@FrekeOneexactly 😂

[@DannyOvox3]

I am a 26-year-old guy that never learned how to swim while younger. I've been learning how to on my own now at my local gym pool, I am about 1 month into my journey. So far I can stay afloat (I was scared of letting go at the beginning lol) learned the breaststroke and I am ok at that, the one style however that I want to learn and perfect it so badly is the freestyle but I cannot get the hang of the breathing! Today though I finally managed to swim an entire 50M lap without stopping doing the freestyle while taking breaths by pulling my head up, I am proud of myself of how far I've come into my swimming journey and I love it I cant wait every morning to go swim when I have the time.

[@muhammadbinmohamedamin2179]

Daniel G. Kudos to you!! I have a similar journey. Can’t seem to not stop in the middle of the 50m. After watching this video i just realized how bad my technique is haha Do you have any tips on how to make me achieve a non stop 50m? I would really appreciate it mate.

[@DannyOvox3]

@@muhammadbinmohamedamin2179 Yeah so the biggest problem is how you inhale and exhale, what I mean by that is the rhythm. While under water, only exhale with your nose in a relax but steady manner. Make sure all of the air is emptied before you turn your head for the breath. Also work on your leg kicking if you are not decent at it because they determine if you will be able to stay afloat and straight while turning your head to breath

[@erickmendes3329]

hey, advice from a former pro distance swimmer... try to stay more relaxed, you probably wont drown anymore, so be cool, as for the breathing, try to learn it correctly from the start, because it will be much harder to improve technique later, always breathe with half of your face in the water, and try to turn your mouth to the side so you dont breathe water... another tip is to relax your core, you dont need to be tigh at all times

[@erickmendes3329]

always do quick breaths and never fill all your lungs... with patience you'll master it

[@Psg0000]

Aqua Distribuidora i think this “quick small breathes” idea may be the thing I was missing and couldn’t find after weeks of watching every swimming KZbin video. My head hurts from breathing from my mouth even when lying on my bed. Can’t wait to try it out in the water

[@al-juryjamlal-lyl8084]

How do we thank you for such a deep explanation? Details, pauses, and explanations for each part?! A great video that makes us independent of a hundred other videos. Thank you very much for your time, effort and expertise.🙏🙏🙏

[@seavair]

The stuff we wanna see that other people arent doing. Great Channel indeed😭

[@AGeeez]

@@seavair why are you crying?

[@seavair]

@@AGeeez some emojies aren't easy to explain😭, you just have to know how to use it 😂

[@valentinyassinskiy9763]

One of the best swimming videos I’ve seen on KZbin

[@nancyprier416]

totally agree!

[@khattabisaid]

as a beginner who wants to have a good speed not on a competitive level this video helped me alot thank you

[@TamaEnergy]

This really demonstrates to me as a beginner swimmer how much technique is everything, hes not moving his arms and legs fast but is moving theough the water fast

[@ofosusam]

I was watching his hand entry, one thing I have been working on lately. I tried it today and man, improvement in speed and efficiency was mighty. Will be watching this over and over till I get it perfect.

[@THX-wc2jo]

Brilliant! I may never get to 1:10/100 - but fantastic to see the breakdown - ALL of your Effortless Swimming tips can be seen here - Dan's stroke is simply TEXTBOOK beautiful form and it's great to see it in action and broken down into detailed components... I'll keep working! Thanks!

[@johnswimcat]

I know this isn't race pace but this is one of the best front crawl strokes I've ever seen. Never mind competition, though I have done a bit, I'd just be really happy to be able to swim something like this

[@lorenzoesteban4175]

This video is a masterpiece that all swimmers should see.

[@martinlevine9948]

Love the explanation of the shoulder, elbow, wrist all in a line - I use this to explain the optimal propulsive position

[@OscarSerrano-oserra]

Thank you so much for such a detailed explanation of part of the technique.

[@EffortlessSwimming]

thank you!

[@lizpotter1266]

Awesome. This is such a useful channel. I have ‘taught myself’ with Brenton’s expert help and had my first compliment on my stroke from a young guy at my pool about two weeks ago. I was so made up - I’m 54!! It has taken about 3-4 years to get here :-) Thanks to Brenton

[@mtmontgo]

This is an outstanding video showing the foundations for a smooth and energy-efficient freestyle from an elite Olympic "Ozzie" swimmer (Dan Smith). The narration is superb and this course will provide many young career, mid career and older swimmers with new tools to help improve their freestyle, especially in moderate and long distance trainings. Thank you very much for posting this series!

[@hl6306]

watching that video got my 100m time down to 1:25 and I still feel space to improve. Thanks a lot!

[@EffortlessSwimming]

Yewwww! Bring on 1:20

[@Man-dm8wf]

Effortless Swimming this video also helped me as my most recent Pb is finally under one minute now! Thank you

[@leslietennant1]

Excellent video. Really like that you slow down and reverse sections whilst explaining a point. Recently put my GoPro in an outdoor pool while I was on holiday and found it so useful to see where I was going wrong and now compare it with this. Thanks.

[@phxrsx]

Thanks coach. Thanks to you I can maintain a 1:35-1:40 pace for a triathlon when before I couldn't get across the pool.

[@EffortlessSwimming]

Legend!

[@trevrockgw]

Wow great work!

[@brad361]

Awesome analysis. I've been doing laps for 40 years and didn't know any of this.

[@im69d]

Most beautiful freestyle swim i've ever seen, now that's something to work for.

[@jsfbr]

Wow! I watched this video yesterday. Today I applied the best I could its teachings to my 1 km practice. The improvement was amazing! I think that rotating the hip made a big difference, but all details added up to increase speed for the same amount of effort. Still a long learning track ahead, but I'm eager to swim it. Thank you very much!

[@billyleung2379]

The best explanation on the whole Freestyle knowhow so far, thank you very much.❤

[@tobyspeirs7078]

This is super helpful! Please do more of these but with multiple angles so that we can see e.g., the power triangle from the front, and get more info on the catch!

[@bronxcheer1484]

There s no turbulence around his hands - amazing

[@bobhopkins5825]

congratulations on your understanding of how humans can best propel themselves through water especially the little understood timing of the down kick with the catch on the same side, the essential element for power generation

[@bobhopkins5825]

glad to see you point out the key factor for power generation at about the 14:45 minute mark and that is the down kick on the pulling side to allow body rotation to augment the power of the pull; that is, down kick with left leg as the left arm moves from catch to pull; a must movement for sprinters

[@garyo4456]

Really good analysis!! I coach new/youth swimmers to always have one hand pointing where they’re going. And also, keep your head down....look where you are...not where you’re going!!

[@Empridon]

What's even more impressive is the cameraman holding the camera while swimming a 100m freestyle in 1:10

[@adithyams6410]

He prolly had fins on

[@Empridon]

@@adithyams6410 r/whoooosh

[@tomschwantje1931]

@@Empridon r/whooosh

[@lokeshrathore9805]

He's prolly walking outside the pool.

[@ryans8408]

Thank you for the thorough analysis and stroke break down. I'm focusing on my breathing and rotation this week.

[@margaretbarnett7878]

My most watched video for the last several years. By a LONG way! So much to take from this, and so very glad Brenton got this on tape. Inside the Effortless Membership, there's the expended filming of this same session, where Dan swims at race paces as well, for those who wish to see how all of this comes together. It's amazing, that he can swim 45spm and do 70s/100m, but his *all-out* effort's at, say, the Olympics, will get him "only" 54s/100m (200m pacing) relative to this demonstration. Just goes to show that pure technique and efficiency gets you a LONG way and then fitness, strength, elite training and aerobic capacity take you the rest.

[@henrychandler651]

The glide movement is well described thanks.

[@danieloleary6947]

another fab exposition! btw I found the d-spot the other day, my word how much faster I went! The g-spot is so yesteryear lol, the diamond shape soooo much more rewarding! thank you!!!!!!!

[@DonostiGros]

Regarding timing of kick/arm. I used to think, and perhaps it's a different view, the timing was kick and pull same side: right kick right pull etc… Got this from Total Immersion initially but observed it in Sun Yang's swimming too. Great video and it's such an impressive example of perfect swimming, something to aspire to!

[@gianniskarousis5600]

What i've seen is right kick right catch and i think you can see it here as well

[@macolganjames3356]

Excellent tuitional video. Many thanks for sharing for all like me who wish to improve their swimming strokes. If only I could glide like that !

[@dosazsolt9725]

he swimms so fast that 50 m that it seems like a 25 m pool

[@rabieelmouden7625]

Very good video. Thanks

[@easterneuropeaninmexico3554]

I barely swim 25m without feeling death at the end

[@moulbatata]

It is 25 m, you have to watch the original video. He gave all explanations for how to achieve.

[@jnartist3411]

@@moulbatata I think it is 50m as well. In the beginning he states that he gains 1.7m per stroke * 22 stroke =37.4m The rest is the dolphin kick

[@jackjude]

@@moulbatata He gets to 14m with the dolphin kicks alone, its clearly a 50m pool.

[@hardik.thakkar]

Best technique and its explanation I have ever seen..

[@salmivec]

This is brilliant analysis. It’s been transformative for my freestyle. Thanks Effortless Swimming

[@clairegb4947]

A top view of Dan Smith is seen in the video "Clean Up Your Front End For A Smoother Stroke." The top view shows that his hand in the water follows a slight 'S' shape. He keeps the palm his hand perpendicular to the direction of travel of his hand. From the side view, it gives the impression of a sculling movement of his hand.

[@gnocchi.artyst]

Thanks!

[@НурикОмарев]

Smooth doesn’t mean easy. Even for a professional swimmer it is pretty tough to swim at that pace. There is a lot of work being done in the water. It just looks easy.

[@briandarga5443]

Yes but practice makes perfect

[@dr.mussabalrasheed-.6296]

I don't agree...some swimmers can swim 16 hours straight...

[@nickjelonkiewicz9944]

@@dr.mussabalrasheed-.6296I’ll give you 100$ If you find me a swimmer who can swim at that pace for 16 hrs straight

[@dr.mussabalrasheed-.6296]

@@nickjelonkiewicz9944 Ocean walker is the one😊

[@isaac_urra]

This pace is easy, that combination of pace and form isn't

[@gybx4094]

It looks like the Total Immersion style. I think mastering multiple styles is useful, just like Mixed Martial Arts. Many swim coaches are hyper-traditional and mechanistic. There's room for innovation and synthesis in swimming.

[@prestonjones5977]

best swimming channel ever

[@Arvid2022]

The kicks seems so relaxed and effortless

[@adammacfarland6415]

I’ve watched this one a few times over about the last year or so. I notice you mention that Dan has a greater shoulder/upper body rotation than the hips. I believe it was 45-50 deg for the upper body and only about 30 for the hips. Recently, this difference in rotation was pointed out to me, as in I was rotating my hips about the same as my upper body, which I was told was causing my hips to drop more than they should. The cueing that I am using to correct it is to almost think of my hips as staying flat (they don’t really, of course) and try to rotate only my upper body. This allowed me to perceive the connection between my upper and lower body so much more and I think has been absolutely key to the improvements I have seen in the past few months. I had been told before that I should swim more ‘flat’, but it never made sense to me until I tried this cueing. The drill I tried that made it click was to swim with very wide arms and legs. I could instantly feel what the person was talking about.

[@leihoa]

14:25 -15:50 about that catch-kick coordination. I saw this in one of your older videos. Ignored it, but recently observed one dude in the pool doing this and copied it. It is AMAZING. It changes whole swimming experience. Makes it so much more comfortable, whole body moves much better. I hated breathing to the left and struggled with it but doing that coordinated catch-kick allows me to switch breathing sides without much struggle like before. I cannot find the drills for this practice and I swear I saw them somewhere :/

[@TadyZaZ]

Hey, have you found the drill to practice it? :)

[@Queenfisher444]

Best drill for building this is to do one kick/one stroke freestyle. Start one arm only, other arm on a board. Coordinate the opposite leg kicks to hand entries. Work your way to two arm same idea. Bish bosh bash.

[@justinszczerbinski7428]

Loved the way you broke that down. thanks for making me faster without actually having to swim!

[@kawh8719]

Thank you so much for this breakdown! All swimmers, no matter the skill level, can learn from this.

[@johnds1963]

Excellent analysis. His 1:10 pace looks as easy as my 2:00 pace. Would love to do a 1:10 pace looking like that.

[@israelismyname]

Most beautiful swimming iv ever seen. Piece of art

[@rettaswim4560]

Brenton - Such a thorough analysis, well done!!

[@BK-yg5go]

Thanks for this generous video! Amazingly helpful for a terra firma athlete trying to learn to swim. It's hard! Who knew drag coefficients matter so much!

[@tinuheiniger9706]

I am a winter swimmer, it is countig more about the duration of stay in the water between four and seven degrees Celsius (39/44F). Now I have started to swim "distance" and would like to swim 500 meters below ten degrees (50F) as first season goal in autumn. For this I need a more efficient crauwl style. This is for me an incredibly great video. Thanks. I will try to implement each hint individually. So I have a lot planned. Top 👍🏻

[@trackie1957]

Just so beautiful. Like a perfect golf swing or a really clean run of giant slalom.

[@drdecco1]

As a late to [try] learn swimmer there is so much it's hard to pick only one thing - for guys like me with SO much to learn it just seems so, so technical! The takeaway I want to work on is right shoulder to head connection. The right shoulder being vulnerable in the rotator cuff I am hoping I may get a [relatively] higher elbow than heretofore, with less stress on the shoulder, and improve the catch + propulsion phase on this side - typically I veer off to the right as [I think] the left arm is more effective [even if the non-dominant one] - Then there is the kick to arm coordination - including ipsi versus contralateral limbs and how that translates into hand/arm entry on one side versus other arm [still working this out tbh - a slow learner maybe??]. Until later in adulthood my only two 'faux strokes' were doggie paddle and arm breast stroke with doggie legs 🤪 and maybe some pretend overarm with no breathing. That late start and battling the fear of drowning [mostly overcome, not always]. I am hoping to make that quantum leap forward this summer, sea is nearby if not the warmest. First goal is 100m without need to stop half way and ultimately aim for even 1+Km without stopping frequently.

[@randomnameindeed]

Great video, thanks for making it! I will be watching this once or twice a week now onwards.

[@rrama4814]

Tremendous analysis. So many points to practice and improve. Thank you so much!

[@trykozmaksym]

6:14 dropped elbow in background :D

[@EffortlessSwimming]

Good comparison ay’!

[@rettaswim4560]

Saw that, too!

[@123nlusky]

Just about to post this as well. It’s a good comparison for high elbow catch technique

[@TheSblackwater]

At around 13:50 Dan does a flip turn and easily catches up and passes the dropped elbow person at 16:04! It's big contrast as you can see the difference in stroke technique while they are going in the same direction.

[@eduardov.i7962]

I picked so many gems from this vid. Thanks so much

[@garywilberforce8776]

Would be fantastic to see this as a split screen against your “average” slower swimmer (a 1:30 or 2:00 swimmer)

[@matthieus1165]

Thanks! Your way of explaining is very clear. There are so many areas where I could improve:-)

[@ayw5118]

Love that kicking. Very light, very efficient 6 beat kick.

[@tavman11]

Excellent commentary. Thanks for doing this.

[@bamboohatsg]

Thank you so much, the most beautiful freestyle swimming. I watch this video again and again. I try to practice from this video,

[@danielowens5090]

The worked definition of Effortless Swimming!

[@fahimuddin1738]

An excellent video particularly the slow motion and annotation part

[@maanavyashroy]

This is wonderful and I am very greatful for the video you post. On this particular video May I also request you analayse how Dan is breathing and the following elements of his breath as well - 1. Timing of exhale (gradual or all at end)? 2. Quality of inhale deep/ Shallow? 3. Nose or mouth exhale? 4. Head turn with the arm stroke timing 5. Head position vs the glide and catch phase. Would you please analys this for both Dan and Alan Donaldson please. Your content is amazing. Thank you!!! @effortlessswimming

[@henriki8015]

A great breakdown and a very good example on what to do right, but: Someone like me, would never achieve that kind of speed at 40 spm. I am 1.87, I have a shorter torso, shorter arms, stiff ankles, somewhat sinking lengs and most importantly not even near that kind of flexibility. I believe that my distance per stroke is more around the average mentioned in the video, say 1m per stroke. I work with I have. The stiffer ankles are very hard to do something with, even with stretching. I try to work more on my upper body flexibility though. Also work on a better catch, completing the stroke and a higher spm. I really, really love a good catch-up stroke, but it may not be efficient for my body type. My goal is to one day achieve a 1:20 100m freestyle, but the progress is very slow, even after a few years of swimming.

[@dave597]

the tennis ball from thighs to feet and ankle flexibility on the dolphin kick - just started working on them, also 'slow to fast', and shoulder position. all great tips i will try to remember on my next swim! thanks!

[@thomasprudhomme2247]

1'14/100m today! still lots to improve, but what a giant amelioration! finally training paid

[@EffortlessSwimming]

Bam!!

[@Junglefever71]

Thanks for taking the time to explain all that. This video is very beneficial for all of us!

[@sulaimanmunawar5934]

Today i have learnt back stroke and i am so happy 😊😊

[@jamfortis]

Awesome analysis & breakdown 💪🏼. Always quality content. Tnx

[@lucianorojassantos]

Very very nice analysis!!! Thank you 🙏

[@mcbuzzvideo]

Outstanding analysis and explanation of every part of an ideal freestyle technique. I have watched this many times, and I'm sure I'll come back to it again and again as I work on different parts of my form. It's also very cool how much the instruction matches with one of my other favorite videos on freestyle technique here on KZbin, called "Freestyle Swimming: Arm Movement. Complete."

[@nadoyvivo6808]

this is a masterclass. thanks mate

[@shethinkssheisagiraffe2755]

good to see Dan back in the pool kicking butt

[@eduaraujosilva]

Fantastic analysis, very impressive technique. His ankle flexibility is amazing, any flex/stretch exercises recommendation? And the observation about keeping the shoulder close to the face is excellent. Thanks Brenton, as usual this is pure gold! Please keep up with the great work!

[@eduaraujosilva]

The perfect “hydro-dynamics” of Dan’s movement can be noticed observing the “jet stream” on his back, very little disruption and smooth relationship with the water! Amazing...

[@alisdar1234]

Excellent analysis

[@sgttomas]

So helpful to have you explain these techniques. Thank you

[@jimborrens6304]

Great video. I need to look at your membership for sure. Thanks

[@brunomiguel3533]

Superb explanation and tutorial. Great help. Thank you

[@periklisk4462]

A really great video! So many thinks to remember/improve.

[@jezdavis1865]

Brilliant video. Thanks.

[@willynjoo1828]

Great video mate! Keep up the good work.

[@jasonpark5602]

Very good. Learnt a lot!

[@mjc3086]

Thank you! I can't wait for next swim so I can try to improve my arm movement.

[@paulmason4402]

i noticed his timing of arms, hand entering while l still setting up for catch with other arm

[@Triathlon.]

This is a work of art.

[@dermotgoodwin5879]

Great video!

[@supriyac5452]

Super analysis thanks good tips 👍🏻

[@anomalyp8584]

Love how we get all analytical about drag, technique,... and still be one of the slowest species in the water XD

[@movieglazer]

im 14, and have never learned how to swim until a few weeks ago! its so fun & im so sad i missed out bc i was scared of drowning again.

[@andrewrlitster9966]

Very True if breaking down a olympic swimmer , ( EASY) Yes great break down of the teachnical aspecks of swimmng but you have forgottern the years of training to get to the right balance of strength and technique. The biggest question is what is his hear rate per 100m , then for the whole set , and how quick he recovers .

[@jasonpark5602]

Friends say it's trash but personally I think it's excellent!

[@pablojimenez5736]

Good analysis, worth a ton! Still I think he swim with the head up, which add drag and tension, and less relaxed neck, and so loose energy in the concentrated effort. Flexibility is good and there is some reasons there is some stiffness when doing the rotation to breath: avoid neck injury for over rotating a too relaxed neck. Something you didn't mention is his foot position to reduce drag and olimpic turn direction: what angle of return to surface, and also, something hard to see is the relaxed and slow way to release the air through his nose. Did he gave a last push in his stroke and is effective?

[@barbaracozens9521]

Excellent explanation

[@A_Klbg]

Perfect video ! Thx

[@valeriesharp4875]

Zooming in more often for close up is even more beneficial to us.😊

[@valeriesharp4875]

His style is so streamline. Such good technique. So elegant. 😊

[@valeriesharp4875]

Brenton, I am sure that I speak for most of us. You so encourage your viewers to want to get back in the pool asap with your teachings to attempt the correct skills and techniques. Wonderful teacher. May GOD continue to bless your hard earned good work. 😊

[@bonacim08]

Would be better to add a video of the front of the swimmer to see how the catch develops in 3D

[@TheSajanGupta]

Thank you, great video! Helpful! 😊