Breathing on one side in swimming?

Question

I've taken up the habit of breathing on my left side when doing freestyle in pratice. I've tried breathing on my right side, but it just feels werid. But now, I'm breathing every stroke on my left side, and I know your not supposed to do that. What are some tips and things that I can do to break the habit of breathing every stroke on my left side? In pratice my coach has told me to breathe every 3- but I just can't do it...Thanks for your help. :]

And I'm on the Varsity team at my high school, if that matters.

Answer 1

it will definitely feel weird at first, but eventually you will get used to it

when you're breathing, try to roll to the side as much as you can so that you don't need to actually move your head to the side

try doing drills that emphasize rolling such as single arm free breathing to the opposide side(pretty self-explanatory) this is supposed to feel awkward, esp. at first, but it will become nore natural eventually.

Also, just swimming regular freestyle with a board between you legs is useful. try to lay the board so that it is parallel to the water(so stack you body perfectly to the side)

another easy thing you can do is side kicking on your left side

it will definitely feel weird, but it will get easier

best answer pls!!

Answer 2

all you have to do is force yourself not to breathe on that left side!! its definitely going to be hard work to break that habit.

just make sure you try your hardest to overcome this habit because in a meet.. you want to be able to see your competitors on both sides.. rightt? you have to create a rythm that is comfortable to you.

ask your coach if there are any drills that could help you.

Answer 3

So you are right handed, I am left handed, always breathe to the right.  I learned to rotary breathe on one side, swam competitive swimming all the way up and forcing yourself to bilateral breathe every three does not come naturally.  My suggestion is to do some good freestyle drills so your stroke mechanics don't fall apart.

Answer 4

You don't have to breathe on both sides. Technically, you're supposed to breathe as little as possible because you will get a better time. Of course, it also depends on whether it is long distance or a sprint.

But if breathing on your right side seems more complicated, it would be better to just breathe on your left because you will most likely get a better time.

In the future, just keep practicing breathing on both sides and you will get used to it again. (: