How to Breathe While Swimming Freestyle

Freestyle, also referred to as the front crawl, is the most common of the four competitive swimming strokes. To successfully swim freestyle, you must learn the correct breathing technique. The key to freestyle breathing is learning to incorporate each breath into your stroke without losing momentum.

Instructions

    • 1

      Begin swimming freestyle, or front crawl, by pulling with alternating arms and simultaneously kicking with a flutter kick.

    • 2

      Turn your head to the right as your right elbow is exiting the water. Your head should simply rotate to the side so that your left cheek is touching the water.

    • 3

      Take a breath in while the rest of your right arm comes up and out of the water. Your left arm is pulling back under water at the same time your right arm is rotating forward out of the water.

    • 4

      Stretch your right arm forward until your fingertips are touching the water. Your head should turn back to its original position with your face in the water by the time your right fingertips are touching the water. Make it a single motion; rotate your arm and head at the same time.

    • 5

      Complete two pulls, the first with your left arm and the second with your right.

    • 6

      Rotate your head to the left on your third pull as your left elbow is exiting the water, and take another breath.

    • 7

      Practice alternating breathing from the right to the left on every third stroke.