Front crawl question. Breathing?

Question

I know that you have to take regular breaths and not just take them whenever you like.

I also know the form of how to swim.

All I'd like to know is, is there a good pattern to have?

At the moment I take a breath every other time my left arm goes over.

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

breathe every third arm stroke. but only in. blow out all your air underwater during your three strokes. the only exception to this is if you are going into a wall. Then keep holding, tun around and breath on the way out.  

Answer 2

Best method is every three strokes.  This teaches alternate breathing.  Funny, most think they breathe better on the right.   Funny as it requires the left arm to balance on.  (Generally the weaker arm)  This is a fallacy.  Best to learn both sides.  This will teach balance on both sides and produce a much more balanced stroke.  To best learn this, you need to do one arm freestyle drills where you stroke with one arm and breathe to the opposite side.  Repeat, Repeat.  You will notice a marked difference I am sure.  (One side will probably be much easier than the other.)  Mastering this, you should swim breathing every three strokes.  This will promote balance and better your overall stroke.  Good luck!

Answer 3

every third stroke is prefered. But if you want to stretch you lungs try every 4 or 5.

Answer 4

i would suggest breathing every third stroke. which results in you taking a breathe on opposite sides.. this is what i do. but i do it because im on a competitive swim team and i like to see where the other swimmers are in the pool. but it works for me! and in swimming lessons, when they learn to breathe i teach them to do every third stroke.

Answer 5

breaths should be quick and to the side so just keep swimming normally and completely by taking the stroke completely through past your thigh.

Answer 6

^ every third stroke is a good idea. it also builds the muscles evenly. also, if you're swimming leisurely, try not to turn your head to breathe until the arm you're breathing under is all the way back and almost out of the water. so essentially you're breathing under your armpit for a quick second. This forces you to spend less time with your head out of water, it makes you learn to take quick but effective breaths because your arm forces your head back in.