Learning Objectives: Get past the annoying problem in freestyle of trying to breathe- and get air in your lungs without disrupting your stroke, and wasting valuable energy.
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Learning freestyle is typically a step-by-step process, where you learn one thing, and build upon that skill to learn the next thing. After a few weeks of learning and practicing drills, you start to get how freestyle should go.
Q: How do I take a breath in freestyle without sinking?
A: There is no “quick fix” when it comes to avoiding sinking when breathing in freestyle. You must practice the balance drills in the pool- kicking on your side, and shark fin drill. These will both help improve your ability to get a full breath of air to the side without sinking.
Q: When do I exhale?
A: The best time to exhale is when your head is down- in the form of bubbles. It’s impossible to breathe in AND out when you rotate to breathe. Exhalation while swimming takes some practice (like walking and chewing gum), but most people find a rhythm here that works.
Q: Why should I learn to breathe on both sides (bilateral breathe)?
A: Bilateral breathing is a great thing to learn for many reasons. It helps you keep a symmetrical stroke, and allows you to more easily navigate in the open water. It can also save you from shoulder injuries, as you put all the pressure on one side when you only breathe one way. However, if one of the sides you breathe on is much more challenging than the other, don’t force things. Master your “good” side first, then add in breathing to your weaker side.
Q: How do I take a breath in freestyle without sinking?
A: There is no “quick fix” when it comes to avoiding sinking when breathing in freestyle. You must practice the balance drills in the pool- kicking on your side, and shark fin drill. These will both help improve your ability to get a full breath of air to the side without sinking.
Q: When do I exhale?
A: The best time to exhale is when your head is down- in the form of bubbles. It’s impossible to breathe in AND out when you rotate to breathe. Exhalation while swimming takes some practice (like walking and chewing gum), but most people find a rhythm here that works.
Q: How do I breathe and sight during a race?
A: There are two ways of doing this. One is, peek your goggles up (looking forward picture 1.3) and roll to the side for air, all in one movement. The second way is to roll to the side to breathe, then look forward above the water, right before you put your head back down.
Q: I get out of breath quickly; what am I doing wrong?
A: It could be several things, so check to make sure you are
– Not holding your breath!
– You are rotating your hips properly
– Breath to your side and not straight ahead or at an angle (these use
more energy than to the side and prevent you from taking in more oxygen.
Q: What’s the one goggle rule and why is it important?
A: When breathing you only want one eye out of the water and the other just below the surface. This allows you to keep your pace and not break the rhythm of your stroke. This will take some time to get, so don’t worry about being able to do this until you’ve practiced everything else for a while
Q: Should I use a snorkel?
A: Snorkels are good when first learning to swim to help with proper body position, but be careful that you do not rely on them too much. You can become dependent on them, which will ultimately inhibit learning to breath properly.
Thank you for going through our Ultimate Guide to Breathing In Freestyle For Triathlon. We hope you’ve enjoyed the tips and instruction, and are able get closer to a smooth, fluid freestyle that helps you save energy and go faster in the water!
For more on freestyle mastery and to get a copy of our Essential Triathlon Swimming Video Based Training visit us at:
http://triswimcoach.com
Good luck and see you at the pool.