Studying the different phases of breathing may seem silly because we do it everyday. In swimming however, it is important to learn how and when to inhale and exhale properly. This aspect comes with some common faults that negatively affect the swimmers’ performance. Developing a good breathing technique is perhaps the biggest challenge for beginner and intermediate swimmers. Many swimmers have a problem with their stroke that is related to their breathing technique without realizing that their breathing is the cause of the problem. This essay will take a look at different phases of breathing aspect and faults that can occur and ways to resolve these faults.
The phases of breathing aspect are quite simple. During the majority of the pull, your face is in the water and you slowly exhale your breath. Then, as your hand exits the water turn your head along the shoulder so that your mouth is in the trough of the bow wave created by head. In fact, your mouth is beneath the surface plane of the water, but in the trough. Air will almost automatically enter the mouth and nose now, owing to the vacuum created in the lung during exhalation. Your face now return to its straight down position as your other hand enters the water for the next stroke.
The most common fault swimmers have with their breathing is not exhaling under the water. If you exhale under the water between breaths you only have to inhale when you go to breathe. This makes things much easier. It also relaxes you and helps greatly with bilateral breathing. This is so important and can make a massive difference to your swimming.
Another fault that occurs is not keeping your head still when not breathing. In between breaths, hold your head still in one position. Don 't roll it around as your body rotates - this will make you dizzy and will really hurt your coordination! Keep your head stationary when not breathing. If you 've think you roll your head, concentrate on looking at one point
Cited: “Proper Freestyle Swimming.” Proper Swimming Resources. Updated July 18, 2011. Weebly: November 3, 2011.