How to Swim the Freestyle Stroke

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

Swim the Freestyle Stroke

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The freestyle is a swim style also known as front crawl or sidestroke. It is used in competitions but there is no real regulation on how it has to be swum. Most swimmers chose to swim front crawl during freestyle competition because it is the fastest technique. For individual freestyle competitions, however, a swimmer can use any stroke they want, but during medley competitions they cannot use the breaststroke, butterfly stroke or backstroke.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Step1

Visualize a line running down the center of your body from your chin to your chest. This line is the axis upon which your whole body should pivot, and it should extend horizontally in the direction you are swimming.

Step2

Keep your legs straight, but not rigid, with your toes pointed out, and kick up and down. Continue kicking the entire time.

Step3

Move your arms in a windmill motion opposite each other. While one arm is extended completely out, the other should be all the way back, almost against the side of your body.

Step4

Keep your hands flat, thumb separated from the index finger and pull the extended arm through the water beneath your body. Bend your arm at the elbow and draw your fingertips along the imaginary line down the center of your body.

Step5

Lift your other arm out of the water and move it all the way forward as the first arm is pulling beneath you. Bend at the elbow and drag your fingertips along the surface of the water. Penetrate the water with your fingertips and completely extend the arm.

Step6

Breathe on one side by turning your head to that side as the arm comes out of the water.

Tips & Warnings

Stretch each stroke out as much as possible without ever pausing from the windmill motion.
Remain horizontal in the water. A strong kick will keep your legs from sinking behind you.
As you pull your hands through the water, keep them cupped firmly, but not rigidly. Fingers should be held just slightly apart.
Your kick should not make a big splash, but rather, should just churn the surface of the water.

Comments

Paul4212 said

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on 7/21/2008 I found a printout from this site, dated 08/03/00. I had many neck and back surgeries and could not workout or run for exercise. I went to the gym to walk in the water since I did not know how to swim! I was 60 years old. I found your website, evidently on 08/03/00, and started watching swimmers, and reading the steps and tips over and over. Here I am, 8 years later and swimming a mile in 39-41 minutes. I swim every day and get compliments on my form. What a rush! I have always kept your "steps" in my head and was surprised to find the print out. Was pleased to see this page still here. It helped me immensly. Paul Oscar

Paul4212 said

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on 7/21/2008 Today I found a printout of this page, dated 08/03/2000. After several neck and back surgeries, I couldnot use exercise equipment or run. Our gym has a pool, so I started walking in the water...walking laps. As I walked I watched people swim, freestyle and thought..."I can do that!" I found your website (happy to see it is still here) and used your steps and tips, along with watching and imitating other swimmers and, at times, asking questions. I was 60 years old at the time. To swim one lap in a 25 yd pool, was a real chore. Now, eight years later, I am swimming a mile in 39-41 minutes, depending on how hard I want to beat my personal best of 38.62 minutes. Yes, I see the kids do laps at a rate of a 20 min mile and think...why not! Your page(s) on frestyle swimming instruction are terrific. I have used your simple advice as my mantra. Thakn you so much. Paul Oscar...fit in Wa