How to avoid sinking legs while swimming?

Question

I am pretty new to swimming. I started swimming about two months ago. I am learning free-style swimming. (front-crawl)

One constant feedback I am getting from my coach is that my legs are under water and I must try to keep the legs above the water surface,

I am able to do this at the starting. (gliding after kicking off from the wall, starting leg kicks and arm action). As soon as I turn my head to the side to breathe, my legs start sinking into water.

As the practice session progresses, legs sink more and more into the water - making it increasingly more difficult to swim.

Any suggestions as to how I can overcome my problem?

Answer 1

Arch you back while you are swimming.  Also, do not pick your head up out of the water to breath, just turn it to the side.  It is extreamly hard to keep your legs up if you pick your head up out of the water.  Picking your head up is most likely the cause and once your legs start to sink like that it is harder and harder to get them back up.

Answer 2

Many people have this problem so you are defently not the first. The problem is you need to put your head in the water a little mor, or press on your chest. When you breath you only really want one goggle pice to come out of the water, not your whole head. And if this doesnt work you can always ask you coach for help on getting your legs closer to the surface.

Good Lucky!

Answer 3

I agree with everything said above. You should also try kicking harder while swimming. Good luck!

Answer 4

if you kick hard then your legs wil be at the surface and also if they start to sink more at the end of practices maybe you just have to get more into shape. and when your breathing make just to turn your head to the side, that will keep youir body in line.

Answer 5

Do out of the water exercies.. sitting or lying on the ground.. keep legs locked and straight and lift and hold, lift and hold... your lower back muscles also have a factor when holding you up. Also when swimming.. take a deep breath and hold it in.. you will ride higher in the water.

Answer 6

It is most essential your head position, body alignment, arm strokes  and breathing rhythm must be corrected by your coach.  It would be better since you are starting out, to take in a deep breath, hold it for as long as you can without turning your head, while you do your arm  and leg movements for just a short distance. You may find it comfortable to turn your head once every three or two cycles of the arm strokes. Vary this according to your breath-hold duration.

However you must ensure that the movements be executed in a smooth and non-hurried fashion, so that you also dont run out of breath easily. Now, your flutter kick if correctly done should not go too far down. Neither should your heels break the surface too much, else there will be excessive splash and the kicking power is dissipated. Cheers!!

Answer 7

why does this happen to evry body but me i neva had that problem ever

Answer 8

My best guess would be, since you're okay at the start of practice, that as you get tired you lift your head more while swimming. Swimming is a balance kind of thing, when your head goes up, your hips drop down and push your legs farther underneath the water. When you breathe, focus on keeping your head low in the water, make sure you aren't lifting your head up and out of alignment. If you keep a straight line through your body, your kick should be able to keep you in proper position.

The use of equipment might help you solve your problem...using a short fin(like Speedo Zoomers) could increase the power of your kick and help you keep your head up, and using a pull boey will keep your legs up -- though the later isn't ideal. For the most part, the best advice i can offer is to focus on body position, keeping your chin and head down so that your hips can stay up. Your coach should be able to help you with form, swimming is easier when it's done properly. :) Good luck! Have fun!!

Answer 9

It might look a bit weird but try strapping a float under your legs.