Step 1: Get Comfortable
Before you start swimming freestyle, you need to ensure you are comfortable in the water. Put on a comfortable swimsuit and goggles and make sure the water temperature is to your liking. Take a few deep breaths and relax in the water, slowly becoming comfortable with the sensation of floating or treading water.
Step 2: Body Position
Having the right body position is crucial when swimming freestyle. Start by standing at the shallow end of the pool or holding onto the pool edge with your arms extended. Take a deep breath in and lower your head and body into the water while exhaling. Ensure you keep your head down, with your face facing the bottom of the pool.
Step 3: Arm Movement
The next step to learning how to swim freestyle is to learn proper arm movement. The freestyle stroke is an alternating arm stroke, so your arms will move in a continuous circle. Start by extending your right arm in front of you and bending your left arm by your side.
As you start to move forward, begin to pull your right arm back towards your hip, keeping it close to your body. Once your hand passes your hip, lift your right arm out of the water and bring it forward over your head. As your right arm is finishing the stroke and coming out of the water, extend your left arm forward, starting the same arm movement as on the right side.
Step 4: Breathing
Breathing is an essential part of swimming freestyle. It is ideal to begin the breathing process as your hand comes out of the water while completing the freestyle stroke motion. Lift your head out of the water and inhale. Once you finish inhaling, put your face back in the water and exhale.
Step 5: Leg Movement
Now you need to incorporate leg movement with your arm stroke while swimming freestyle. Your legs should be continuously kicking with a slight bend at your knees. Make sure you point your toes and don’t let your feet drag behind you.
Remember, the kick is not as important as your arm stroke, so focus on getting the arm technique correct first. Try to keep your body horizontal in the water and avoid letting your hips sink. When kicking, keep your ankles together, and your legs should move in a continuous up and down motion.
Step 6: Putting It All Together
As with anything, the more practice you have, the easier it will become. Start incorporating all of the swim techniques, putting everything together. Start swimming freestyle exerting minimal energy to practice the various techniques properly. Swim the length of the pool with alternating arm strokes, breathing, and kicking as you go.
Step 7: Building Endurance
As you become more comfortable with the freestyle stroke, begin building endurance by swimming longer distances with minimal rest in between laps. The more time you spend in the pool, the better your stroke technique and stamina will become.
In Conclusion
Swimming freestyle is an excellent way to benefit from aerobic exercise and improve your overall physical fitness. By following the above steps, you can master the technique and begin to enjoy the multiple health benefits of swimming. As with anything else, it takes practice, but once you become more comfortable in the water, you’ll see drastic improvements in your swimming skills in no time.