Breathing Techniques for Freestyle Swimming for Beginners

Hey rocketeers, let's talk about side breathing. Many swimmers struggle with freestyle side breathing due to poor timing, incorrect circular breathing, or a weak kick causing you to sink. For freestyle side breathing, start with circular breathing. You want to exhale while underwater. And inhale when you turn to the side. Don't wait until you're on your side to exhale. And inhale, or it will take twice as long. And the water rolling off your arm will come crashing over your face. Start with a simple drill, arms out in front. Standing on the bottom or holding the wall. Inhale above the surface. And exhale underwater like this. Once you get comfortable with that. Because for some people, it takes time to get used to water on your face. But once you are comfortable, you can try it to the side. Once you've mastered that, practice doing it to the side. I'll rotate my body so you can see. Simulate your freestyle arm pulls. Now, don't pull too hard. Or you'll pull yourself off balance. And feel a bit uncomfortable. So sit back a little. Keep your hips back for balance. Arms out in front. I'll simulate the strokes like this. When ready, I'll put my face in. Exhale my bubbles. Then breathe to the side. Watch. Now, let's work on your timing. When you swim freestyle. Start your breath as you pull. On your breathing side. First, decide which side you're breathing on. Start your breath as you pull. Imagine a string between nose and thumb. So if I breathe left, I pull and breathe together. It's earlier than you're used to. Most pull, then left arm and head together. That's wrong. You'll get water in your face. Instead, breathe while pulling underwater. Doing that also creates. A little pocket right here. The momentum dips the water down. Giving your mouth a pocket to breathe in. Watch. See how I have plenty of time to breathe? By starting earlier. I'm ready. Make sure you've watched my freestyle breathing video. Focused on one breath at a time. As side breathing limits your air intake. Get enough air so you can submerge again. If you're not there yet, that's fine. My other video has kickboard drills. To go from two breaths face down. To one breath face down. Then rolling onto your back. Catching air, two breaths at a time. Then one breath at a time. There is a sequence, okay? Just follow that sequence if you're not. Ready for one breath at a time. That's all for today, Rocketeers.