Breathing in freestyle/frontcrawl?

Question

It doesn't seem that I can get enough oxygen when I am doing my front crawl. I am very proficient at breast stroke, and back stroke, but It seems I run out of breath before I can do much on freestyle. I'm supposed to take a lifeguard swim test on Monday, and I have everything down to a roll, except my freestyle. Are there any tips on how I can improve my flow of oxygen, or anything I can to to improve my freestyle? Will I be able to pass the hundred yards on freestyle for my test on Monday evening?

Answer 1

try breathing properly.

your supposed to keep your face in the water, except for when you turn your head to one side to breathe.

it mostly just takes practice.

Answer 2

when you breath,you breath to the side  and you do it about every 3 strokes

Answer 3

Well, first of all you should have your face down in the water and slowly exhaling when you are doing your stroke. To breath you just simply turn your head and inhale. You should try to breath every 3 strokes (meaning you would breath turning your head to both sides). It will become very rythmic and you shouldn't run out of air.

Answer 4

If you're really short of breath, then breathe every 2nd stroke. Basically, pick a side (left or right) and every time that arm passes your hip, you turn your head sideways to breathe, and when your hand passes your face, you put your head back down.

Be sure to exhale while you are face down, and wear goggles!!

Answer 5

when you swim freestyle you are supposed to breathe to the side as you swim. just turn your head to the side when you need to take a breath then put it back in the water and continue swimming.

Answer 6

As a life guard myself, swim teacher and a competitive swimmer here are some tips I've learned for the best way to breath for freestyle (if I insult your intelligence, I apologize!):

  Breath every 3 strokes.  If it help count 1, 2 3 breath, ect.

  Breath by turning your head to the side with one ear still in the water.

  Remember to stay to relaxed to prevent hyperventilation.

Something that happens to many people is that they main strength is in their arms and they tend to lose their breath faster if that is their only power.  KICK HARD THE WHOLE TIME!!

In the future to increase lung capacity,  try holding your breath for certain intervals.  Lay on the floor, relax, then hold your breath for 30 seconds. After that, slowly release and breath for  1min.  Repeat increasing the amount of time your hold your breath. Be sure you don't hold it to long and pass out!

Good luck on that test!