How to Position the Head to Swim Freestyle

Your head position when swimming freestyle, or the front crawl, is important for several reasons. Swimming with an incorrect head position slows you down and makes it difficult to swim freestyle for any length of time. Incorrect head position also puts your body in an awkward position, making swimming freestyle harder than it has to be.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Dive in or push off the wall in a streamline position and begin flutter-kicking underwater. Your arms should be fully extended above your head, and your hands should be touching.

2. Emerge from the water by pulling one arm back and beginning your freestyle stroke.

3. Allow your head to rise to the surface of the water.

4. Slightly lift your head so that the waterline is across your forehead, near your hairline.

5. Cast your gaze at the end of the pool. You should have to slightly lift your eyes up to see the end of the pool if your head is in the proper position. If you look straight ahead, you should be looking ahead at the bottom of the pool.

6. Keep your head in this position as your arms are alternating and your feet are continuing to flutter-kick.

7. Turn your head to either side to take a breath, and return to the same head position until you need to breathe again.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are wearing a swimming cap or do not have any hair, keep the waterline about an inch or so above your eyebrows.
• Do not lift your head so high that your eyes are naturally looking at the end of the pool. This causes too much resistance in the water and slows you down.
• Do not allow your head to fall down so low that the waterline is at the top of your head. This affects your body position and also causes resistance, which slows down your stroke.

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