How to Swim the Free Style Stroke with Perfection

You may not be Michael Phelps, but you can learn to be an accomplished swimmer! If you've ever wanted to learn how to perform the free-style swimming technique without having to use a flotation device to keep your head or body above water, then there are a few things you must learn.

This particular swimming style is most often called the free-style, but it can also be termed the classic style or the front crawl. Of course the only way to truly accomplish the goal of learning how to perfect this swimming move, is to practice and learn the proper form and technique. To be a good swimmer, you must master the stroke.

Arms that Glide and Don't Slap

In the free style or classic front crawl, it is imperative that you try to get your arms to enter the water as close to your body as possible. You may have seen novice swimmers performing this stroke, and it looks like they are flailing and splashing with every movement. To avoid this unwanted result, do your best to keep your elbows bent as they enter the water. If your arms are straight as they enter the water, you will feel the slap of the water against your forearm. Slapping means splashing and that is not a good way to perform the free style technique. Once you have bent your elbows and your hands and arms have entered the water, stretch and reach for the maximum capacity. It helps to cup your hands in a slight disk shape, so they are entering with a glide and not a slap. Don't stop short in your stroke progression because otherwise you will be working backwards against the forward motion. In effect, you will have more work with less forward progress.

Legs that Keep on Kicking

When using your legs to help you perform sufficiently with this front crawl technique, be sure to kick constantly even if it's a light kick. Don't quit! If you are tired or you need to make sure you have the endurance to swim for a long time, a simple flutter kick will suffice. Remember to keep kicking for the duration of the free style swimmer's technique, or you will find your arms working overtime. It is so important to keep your feet submerged in the water to reduce the shock from the splash. This is probably one of the most common mistakes you see in the free style stroke. If your feet are resisting the water, then you will slow down and the propelling force cannot work as desired. Just imagine dragging a backpack through the water with you. Legs that are out of the water provide added weight and resistance just as if you were dragging a book bag through the water. Once again, you get the same amount of work for less distance.

Breathe with Rhythm and Consistency

Finally, the free style swimming technique requires you to breathe at regular intervals since you are lying on your stomach, face down in the water. It is imperative that you strive to breathe to the side at a ninety-degree angle to your body. Never breathe with your face looking straight up. That will certainly hinder your progress, and it could get you disqualified in a swimming competition. If you have strong lungs, you should strive to breathe once for every four to six strokes. If you are not able to hold your breath that long, then you can breathe once for every two strokes.

The free style swimming technique, also known as the crawl, is the most popular style for the avid swimmer. It is a fun and heart stomping swimmers' technique that is both competitive and relaxing.