Learning Freestyle Swimming

Freestyle swimming is considered the most efficient stroke, yet beginners often struggle with learning it. To learn freestyle and improve your form, take advantage of classes, coaches, books and videos.

  1. Classes and Coaching

    • Take a class or get a personal coach who can give you feedback and help you improve your form. A class or coach can provide workouts that are customized to your fitness level, practice needs and training goals (for instance, working to compete in a triathlon). Swimming classes for children and adults are offered at many schools, colleges and YMCA or YWCA facilities. Adults over 18 can consider participating in Masters swimming groups available around the country (see References).

    Swimming Books

    • Reference books can help guide you, offering descriptions, illustrations and photos of correct swimming form and describing drills you can practice. For example, "Championship Swimming" by Tracey McFarlane-Mirande and Kathlene Bissell includes detailed information about correct freestyle form and other swim strokes.

    Online Resources

    • A better reference than swimming books may be swimming videos and references that can be found online, usually free to watch. Many online videos show expert swimmers doing the freestyle stroke from multiple angles. Total Immersion, one company that provides swim coaching and videos, has a few videos on its website and on YouTube. These videos show what freestyle should ideally look like, and provide a model for you. If you can't afford or don't have time to take a class or work with a coach, watching videos and attempting to duplicate what you see may be the next best option for learning how to freestyle well.