Swimming: Frontcrawl - Technique

Full Stroke Swimming.

The body position will be streamlined and horizontal lying flat with the face in the water looking downwards. The hips are held high with rotation of the shoulders and upper body as the hand reaches underwater to full stretch allowing more power throughout the pull. This helps the body to cut through the water in a streamlined fashion. The shoulders should remain relaxed. The hips should roll in tune with the shoulders to stop any rigid swimming another common fault is snaking of the hips. The head is central and fixed turning to the left or right to breathe. The face should be placed on the water surface with the eyebrows underwater and forehead touching the water surface. The feet should break the surface, creating some white water splash from the turbulent mix of water and air.

Breathing.

The breathing action is a regular and controlled turning of the head to either side. Ensure full and quick intake of breath and exhail into the water as the face returns to its central position. Bilateral breathing to the left and right of every third arm stroke will help develop good balance and rhythm.

Hips.

When swimming frontcrawl the hips stay high and close to the water surface with your costume just breaking the surface. There is slight rotation of the hips to the left and right as you reach forwards with every arm stroke.

Pull.

Enter the hand into the water with forefingers and thumbs first stretching your arm to full extension. Following hand entry, the palm faces down on the water for the catch position. The hand then travels under the body pushing the water backwards towards the thighs and presses back to full extension past the hips and costume line. (Always keep the water on the palm of your hands during the pull). The elbow then leaves the water first followed by the wrist and hand. At all stages of the arm recovery the elbow remains higher than the hand. The hand and fingers stay close to the water surface as the arm recovers over the water close to your body line for a controlled hand entry back into the water reaching forwrads to full stretch once again.