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How to Master the Top five Challenges to Breathing in Freestyle |
by:
Kevin Koskella |
The most common question I hear in the triathlete world about the mysteries of swimming efficiently usually involves something with breathing. In freestyle, it is the first step to get your body position right. Then, for many, you throw in breathing also everything goes haywire! This has to do with lack of balance, using your head instead of your core to breath, also a few other factors.
Here are the top five challenges in learning how to breathe in freestyle, along with the remedies on how to get over these:
1. Not Getting Enough Air. There are a couple of reasons this typically happens in freestyle. First, make sure you breathe out all of your air before you rotate to take a breath. When learning, some people try to exhale also inhale while they are rolling to the side for air. There simply is not enough time for this! Your exhalations should only be in the water in the form of bubbles. At first the timing may seem difficult, however eventually you will get used to it. Second, you may be sinking as you breathe. Make sure you are rolling to the side to breathe, also not rotating your head also looking straight up. Practicing the side kicking also shark fin drills, as discussed in The Complete Guide also in the introductory 4-session online clinic you get by signing up for the Tri Swim Coach newsletter will or else help you with this challenge.
2. Extended Arm Sinks While Taking a Breath. This is mainly a balance issue. While you breathe to one side, your other arm should be extending. For many swimmers, this extended arm pushes down into the water (elbow drops) also they are sinking while trying to inhale. The side kicking also shark fin drills will or else help to improve this. Another drill or else discussed in the materials that will help with this challenge is the fist drill, which forces you to not use your hands, therefore improves your balance in the water.
3. Speed is Sacrificed because of a “Pause” While Breathing. A typical scenario is that you feel like you're cruising along just fine also then you take a breath also it feels like you've just lost all your momentum. To remedy this, when you breathe, concentrate first on breathing to the side (as in #1), then on having your mouth parallel to the water, instead of over the water. The latter will take a while to master, however once you do, it will take care of the pause, also improve your speed overall.
4. Difficulty breathing while navigating in a race. You need to look up to see where you are going, also at the same time grab a breath. How can you do both? Start with bilateral breathing (breathing on both sides every three strokes). This will help you to see about where you are without lifting your head up as much. When you need to lift your head up to sight, try not to look straight ahead- this will make your hips sink also throw you off balance. Instead, take a quick peek at your target, roll to the side to breath, also bring your head right back down into position.
5. Sucking In Water While Taking a Breath. In practice, this will sometimes occur because of #1 also #2 above. In a race, the waves may cause the inhalation of water instead of air (bilateral breathing will help here as well). The drills to practice to improve balance also avoid this unpleasant occurrence are the side kicking also shark fin drills, as well as the one-arm drill. To perform the one-arm drill, swim a full stroke with one arm while your other arm rests at your side. Breathe on the opposite side of the stroking arm. This is a difficult drill also takes some practice, however it will pay off! For more also to view this also other drills, see the Full Package from Tri Swim Coach.
About the author:
Kevin coaches masters also triathlete swimmers in San Diego, CA. He operates the website www.TriSwimCoach.coma resource for beginning through intermediate level triathletes looking for help with swimming. The site features a free email newsletter offering tips also articles on triathlon swimming. Kevin has or else written an electronic book titled “The Complete Guide to Triathlon Swimming” which is sold on his website in downloadable form.
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