Why breathing breaks down
Most swimmers lift their head to breathe, which drops the hips and slows the stroke. The goal is to rotate to air, not lift up and out.
Cues to keep it clean
- Keep one goggle in the water as you breathe.
- Exhale steadily underwater so the inhale is quick and relaxed.
- Time the breath with body rotation, not the arm recovery.
Simple drill set
4x50 freestyle as 25 single-arm + 25 swim, rest 20 seconds. Focus on a low, quiet head turn.