Swimming: Frontcrawl - Technique

Turn.

Tumble Turn. Focus onto the wall five metres away and be aware of how many strokes it takes you to reach the wall. On the penultimate stroke the hand is taken down under the body at right angles towards your opposite hip in order to pivot around the wall. Do not execute the tumble turn in a head over heels fashion as you will be left on your back. As the feet are planted on the wall the leading arm finds a straight direction to follow whilst underwater. Once the feet have been firmly placed they drive off the wall with both hands together, push off underwater to create a streamlined position, hold for two seconds after the push off; This will keep the body under the oncoming wave you have created and cut back on resistance; After a short glide start to kick with frontcrawl or dolphin legs underwater for another two seconds, the head then breaks the surface first to resume full stroke.

Dive Start.

Stand firmly on the poolside or starting blockwith toes wrapped around the front edge. Place hands to the front or side of the starting block; Fingers will secure starting position with body weight slightly forwards. Dive out down the pool to full stretch; Pike at the highest point of the dive whilst in the air in order to enter the water surface, the whole body enters through the same point of contact on the water surface as if you were diving through a hoop; Snap out of this position and into a streamlined position on immediate entry into the water in order for the body to follow through the same point of entry. If you dive too flat speed through the water and momentum from the poolside or starting block will be lost. Never dive into shallow waters.

Breathing.

The breathing action is a regular and controlled turning of the head to either side. Ensure full and quick intake of breath and exhail into the water as the face returns to its central position. Bilateral breathing to the left and right of every third arm stroke will help develop good balance and rhythm.