The front crawl is one of the most popular and efficient strokes in swimming. However, many people find it difficult to master this technique. In this article, we are going to give you the best tips and techniques to improve your front crawl and swim faster and more efficiently.
- Breathing
One of the most important aspects of front crawl is breathing. To breathe well while swimming the crawl, it is essential to maintain a horizontal position on the surface, with the head slightly turned to the side to inhale. You can also practice bilateral breathing, that is, alternating sides to inhale, to balance the stroke.
- The position of the body
To swim the front crawl effectively, you need to maintain a streamlined body position. Make sure to keep your body horizontal and maintain an upright position. Your body should be tight and in line with the stroke direction to minimize drag. Your head should be in line with your spine, shoulders low and hips close to the surface of the water.
- The push of the arms
Once you have mastered the body position, it is important to push the water well with your arms. This is done by pushing the water backwards with your palms, bending your elbows to provide momentum. Next, your arm should be extended until it's aligned with your shoulder, then you can lift it out of the water and bring it forward.
- Coordination of movements
The coordination of movements is essential to swim the front crawl effectively. For your movements to be fluid, it is important to synchronize the thrust of the arms with the movement of the legs. To do this, you need to practice the kicking movement of the legs alternating with the pushing of the arms.
- The use of the legs
The legs play an important role in the front crawl. To swim more efficiently, it is important to use your kick correctly. The legs should be straight and the feet should be pointed backwards to maximize the thrust. The frequency of the beat depends on the swimming speed. To swim at a higher speed, it is important to kick your legs faster.
- Training
As with any swimming technique, practice is key to mastering the front crawl. You can practice front crawl in a pool or in open water to improve your technique. You can also train by doing sets of 25 or 50 meters alternating between swimming slowly and swimming quickly.
In conclusion, the front crawl is an effective and popular swimming technique, but one that can be difficult to master. By following these tips and techniques, you can improve your technique and swim faster and more efficiently.
