Swimming: Stroke Development Frontcrawl

Body Position
Streamlined and horizontal lying flat with your face in the water looking slightly downward and forward. Hips slightly lower than your shoulders with rotation of the shouldersand upper body. Head central and fixed turning to the left or right to breath. The hips should also roll in tune with the shoulders to eradicate any rigidity in the stroke. A common fault is snaking of the hips which swimmers should resolve as early as possible.

Pulling Pattern
Enter the hand into the water with forefingers and thumbs first and elbow held high stretching your arm to full extension. After hand entry the hand moves slightly out and down to the catch position. The hand then presses under the body and pushes backwards and outwards towards the thighs. The elbow then leaves the water first followed by your wrist and hand with your arm moving over the water close to your body for a controlled entry.

Breathing
Regular and controlled turning of the head to either side. Ensure quick intake of breath and blow strongly into the water as the face returns to its central position.

Frontcrawl Streamline Drill. Push off the wall
underwater with hands overlapping and the
body stretched out. Kick underwater for a few
seconds or to a maximum of five, ten or fifteen
metres whichever is more comfortable. Walk
back to the wall and repeat as necessary or
swim easy for the remainder of the length.