Swim Techniques

Learning swim techniques appropriate to age and skill level can keep a novice swimmer safe in water, and it can propel an intermediate or advanced swimmer to new heights of physical strength and endurance. Learning swim techniques begins with getting comfortable in the water and learning basic water-safety skills. Beginning swimmers should never swim alone and should first master simple strokes and techniques.

  1. Beginner Swim Techniques

    • Beginner swim techniques start with getting accustomed to being in water and learning how to breathe underwater. Start with water immersion and repetition of blowing bubbles in the water while turning the head to the side for breath.

      A secondary beginner swim technique involves using a kick board float held in front of the body to support the swimmer while he is learning to kick and propel himself through the water. This technique can be advanced to allow for a combination of the two basic swim techniques of exhaling underwater and kicking while moving forward.

      A third beginner swim technique is mastering the freestyle stroke, or crawl, which involves kicking the feet while propelling the body through water with the arms, taking a breath from the side as necessary. Advanced beginners can also take on the breaststroke, propelling the body through the water with both arms and legs making simultaneous circling motions, with the swimmer coming up for a breath after each stroke.

    Intermediate Swim Techniques

    • "Intermediate swimmers" are typically defined by their ability to swim in the ange of 1:30 to 2:10 for 100 meters. Intermediate swim techniques include learning how to calculate stroke rate -- how many strokes a swimmer takes each minute -- and stroke length -- how far a swimmer travels with each arm stroke. Understanding these elements helps a swimmer develop better overall technique during exercises to improve performance. Intermediate techniques include mastery of the butterfly, a symmetrical stroke with both arms carried over the water on recovery. The stroke uses a dolphin kick in which both legs kick together as one.

      Another intermediate swim technique is the "push turn," in which the lead arm pushes off the pool wall, driving the upper body and head over the lower body. Immediately following, the legs push off from the wall to create drive.

    Advanced Swim Techniques

    • Advanced swim techniques are typically learned by swimmers who wish to swim in entry-level competition. Swim techniques for advanced swimmers include learning how to control breathing by exhaling strongly into the water between breaths, and focusing on exhaling more than on inhaling. Advanced swimmers also learn swim techniques of more challenging strokes, including the scissor kick, a side arm stroke that relies on the fast scissor action of both legs; and the backstroke, which involves propelling the back upper body up and out of the water on each stroke, using forceful upper arm circling combined with the dolphin kick.

    Master Swim Techniques

    • For master distance swimmers, such as open-water athletes and triathletes, swim techniques focus on improving physical endurance through repetition, speed and physiological mind-set. Master swimmers learn to work anaerobically and aim for "critical swim speed." This swim technique is tested by time trial swims, which gives athletes data they need to calculate and pace their swimming based on water conditions and distance.