Drills for Improving Breathing Technique in Freestyle

Master your freestyle breathing with these three practical drills designed for swimmers of all levels.
By Taylor

Introduction

Breathing is a crucial component of freestyle swimming. Proper breathing technique not only enhances your performance but also increases your comfort in the water. In this article, we’ll go over three practical examples of drills for improving breathing technique in freestyle. These drills are designed to help you build confidence and efficiency, allowing you to swim longer distances without feeling fatigued. Let’s dive in!

1. Side Breathing Drill

Context: This drill focuses on developing your ability to breathe while maintaining a streamlined body position.
To execute this drill effectively, swimmers will learn to coordinate their breathing with their arm strokes, promoting a natural rhythm in the water.

Start by swimming freestyle but only breathe to one side. Focus on turning your head to the side as your arm enters the water. Alternate sides every 25 meters to ensure even development.
This drill encourages proper head movement and helps swimmers understand the timing of their breaths.

Notes:

  • If you’re struggling with balance, consider using a pull buoy to keep your legs elevated.
  • For an added challenge, try breathing every three strokes instead of every two.

2. Catch-Up Drill

Context: The catch-up drill is excellent for improving stroke timing and breathing coordination.
By isolating your arm movements, you can focus on keeping your body aligned and using your breath effectively.

To perform this drill, swim freestyle but ensure that one arm is extended in front of you while the other completes its stroke. Only bring the second arm forward after the first arm has completed its pull.
Breathe in when the arm that is pulling is at your side, and return your head to the water as the arm extends forward.
This will help you establish a consistent breathing pattern.

Notes:

  • If you find it difficult to breathe, you can do this drill with a snorkel to focus on your arm movements first.
  • You can also try this drill with a flutter kickboard to focus solely on your arm technique.

3. 3-3-3 Drill

Context: This drill combines both breathing and stroke efficiency by alternating three strokes with breathing on one side, then three strokes with breathing on the other side.
This helps swimmers develop bilateral breathing and increases comfort in the water.

Begin by swimming three strokes of freestyle while breathing to the right. Then, switch to three strokes while breathing to the left. Alternate this pattern for the duration of your swim.
This drill encourages even muscle development and helps you become more relaxed when switching sides to breathe.

Notes:

  • For beginners, you can start with a 2-2-2 pattern (two strokes on each side) if three feels too challenging.
  • As you get comfortable, try increasing the number of strokes before switching sides to build endurance.

With consistent practice of these examples of drills for improving breathing technique in freestyle, you’ll notice a marked improvement in your swimming performance. Remember, mastering your breathing is key to becoming a more efficient and confident swimmer. Happy swimming!