How to Use the Arms in Freestyle Swimming

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By Patty Oh
eHow Contributing Writer

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(5 Ratings)

Using your arms correctly can quickly improve your freestyle

To achieve the best results when swimming freestyle, it's important to pay attention to how you're using your arms.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

On dry ground, practice moving your arms forward, like big windmills. When you have one arm up, the other arm should be down. When one arm is in front of you, the other should be behind you. As you're moving your arms, hit your hip with the arm that is down to make sure that your arms stay close to your body.
Step 2

Notice the bend in the elbow

Learn how to bend your arms while you're swimming. When your arm is in front of you, bend your elbow slightly. If you were to pull your hand to your head while your arm was outstretched, your hand would touch the side of your forehead. As you pull your arm towards you, continue to bend your elbow. As your hand reaches your chest, your elbow will be bent at least 90 degrees. Push your arm down through the water.
Step 3

Practice in the water, too

As you raise your arm overhead and move it back in front of your body, bend your elbow 90 degrees again so that your hand can quickly return into the water.
Step 4

Breath when your arm is out of the water

Your arms also help you breath while swimming freestyle. To breath, turn your head in the direction of the arm that you are raising out of the water. As your arm moves overhead and forward, use this time to take a breath of fresh air. As your arm hits the water, return your face to the water and begin to exhale into it.

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