Freestyle Swimming Most Common Mistakes

Freestyle Swimming is Unlike Freestyle Dancing

You can’t just do any move that would propel you to the other end. However, it is called freestyle swimming because you can actually use any style of swimming apart from breaststroke, butterfly, and back stroke.

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The front crawl is the most widely used style during these events. This type is often analogous to freestyle. It is a calculated move that helps increase your chances of becoming the first one to reach the end. In this kind of style, the swimmer has to efficiently move his body to get the right breathing and balance. Here are some common mistakes beginners make with freestyle:

1. Breathing

 You don’t actually breathe in with every stroke. However, knowing when to take in air is crucial. Incorrect breathing can break your momentum. It’s a common mistake not to calculate the optimal time to breathe. Often times, beginners suffer from accidentally swallowing water that can lead to distraction. Great philosophers have figured this out. You need to know thyself. You can easily figure out the optimal time to breathe by practicing. Instead of taking in mouthful of breaths, you might want to take in shorter intervals to breathe. You can test this out by trying different intervals. If you find it more effective to breathe with every 3 strokes then use that interval to your advantage.

2. Head Position

Fanny Durrack (left) and Mina Wylie, Australian swimmers (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Most beginners lift their head up instead of turning it to the side. It disrupts the natural flow of water and causes resistance. In freestyle swimming, your body should be straight causing the water to glide more easily. You need to keep your head aligned with your body. However, keep your muscle relax and avoid causing tension on your neck. There is a certain grace in swimming. The mistake with head position always occurs when the swimmer is trying to get in oxygen. In order to correct this, turn your head to the side instead over the water. It can be tempting to look forward. However, looking forward can put your head in a bad position. Just trust that your body knows when it has already reached the end. Besides, you can just move your eyes to calculate the distance without moving your head.

3. Core position

Don’t keep your body in a flat position. In freestyle swimming, if your core is perpendicularly flat against the water then that's wrong. Your shoulder should rotate with every stroke. However, if your shoulder is not rotating then you are not doing it the right way. Furthermore, it can lead to an injury. Also, make sure that your hip follows the natural rotation. It is important to keep your core tight. It can help you gain more balance. Your core will be the key component in stabilizing your weight.

4. Kicking

It is a known fact the kicking with {overly - ed} bended knees create more resistance. It only results to slowing you down. Aside from that, it can also add an extra effort in propelling you ahead. Instead of kicking from the knee, make sure that you use your whole leg. You can rely on your hip to provide you with the power to use your whole leg. Using the knee is a simple mistake that can easily be corrected in freestyle swimming.

Enjoy
   Richard