Front Crawl/Freestyle Breathing?

Question

I always have trouble with my front crawl. I get really tired, and after every lap, I am always spluttering and gasping for breath. My dad told me I am supposed to breathe out under the water, but doesn't that make ugly bubbles? Is is true? Are you really supposed to breathe out under water?

Answer 1

yes, you breath out under water.

Answer 2

i've been swimming all my life and i swam all in high school. i even took swim classes last semester in college.

breathe out slowly into the water. go as much as you can, face down, in the water until you let out all your air. don't let it out all at once.

and when you breathe, pick your head up just a tiny bit so that your mouth is out. dont turn your entire head out of the water like you are looking behind you.

Answer 3

You have to blow bubbles in the water because when you exhale when you come up, you'll just inhale the same stuff you just exhaled.

Answer 4

Yes, the proper method includes exhaling while the face is under water.  Some people use the 'explosive' exhalation method, blowing out forcefully.  Others use a more gradual exhalation.  Either way works fine.

You should inhale with your face turned to the side on the same side as one of your arms' recovery.  Imagine that your nose is hooked by a string to your elbow, and as your elbow lifts your face turns to the side to inhale.  Try not to lift your head, as that throws your whole body out of a 'hydronamic' position, making your whole stroke more awkward and less efficient.

The best way to learn this is with an experienced and well trained instructor.  Swimming lessons can be found at most public swimming pools, YMCA pools, or through the American Red Cross.

Answer 5

Just a few points to note for swimming an easy front crawl::

>>Wear a light-tinted and well-fitting pair of goggles to enable

     clear vision a few metres ahead of you.

>>Breathing in and out in swimming, regardless of any style

     must be done through the MOUTH. In case you accidentally take in water, you can spit it out. Water going in

     your nose will cause great discomfort.

>>If you are swimming a slow and casual front crawl, you may

     turn your head out of the water for every two cycles of the

     arm strokes, so you dont tire easily. You have to purse your

      lips and breathe out small bubbles.

>>Ensure your head is not raised but lying on the water,

     so as to create a trough for your mouth to breathe in some air. If this doesnt work, turn  your head slightly back, inside of just sideways, 110-120 degrees from ahead, instead of 90.

The above approach will allow a smooth swim and you should cover many laps of the pool without much effort. Cheers!

Answer 6

Yes, you really need to breathe out underwater to properly clear your lungs so you can take a good breath. I think that's why your sputtering--you're probably not clearing out your lungs enough, so when you inhale, it's a "short breath."

When you swim, slowly exhale through your nose when you do one stroke of your arm, then with the other lift your mouth up out of the water and take a nice breath. Try to lift your head just enough to inhale well without sucking in a lot of water, and try keeping the top to the head in the water so your arms have less work to do to support the weight of your body.

Don't worry about ugly bubbles, trust me no one is looking at you while you swim thinking, "Why's she make those bubbles?" It's natural, plus it probably looks sillier that you are gasping and choking at the end of your lap.