How to Swim the American Crawl

Swimming as a form of exercise keeps you healthy and in shape. The American crawl, also known as the front crawl, develops your aerobic activity quickly while being gentle to your joints. The key to swimming the American crawl successfully is your timing. You must time your arm strokes with your breathing. As you get faster, you can change your timing so you take fewer breaths and swim faster.

Instructions

    • 1

      Alternate kicking your legs. Keep the knees loose and slightly bent and the ankles flexed. Begin the kick at the hip and allow the power to travel through the leg and out the foot. Allow your feet to move slightly up and down at the ankle, acting as a flipper.

    • 2

      Lower your face into the water and begin the first stroke with your left arm. Bring the arm up along your side, bend it slightly at the elbow and lower it into the water in front of your head.

    • 3

      Tilt your entire body to the left, to bring your face out of the water, as your left arm enters the water. Take a breath. At the same time, bring your right arm out of the water. Keep it slightly bent and lower it into the water in front of your head.

    • 4

      Turn your body so your face is once again in the water as your right arm enters the water. Repeat Step 2 with your left arm, then Step 3 with your right arm. Continue repeating these steps until you reach the pool's other side. As you move your arms, do not forget to kick your legs.