Swimming with your head consistently above water isn't the most efficient or effective way to swim freestyle, but it can be done for short periods or as a drill. It's crucial to understand that this method significantly increases drag and requires stronger leg kicks and body positioning to compensate.
Understanding the Challenges
Keeping your head up while swimming freestyle disrupts your body's natural alignment in the water. This leads to:
- Increased Drag: Your head is relatively heavy; lifting it out of the water creates significant resistance, making forward movement much more difficult. (Source: Keeping Your Head Above Water - Swimming Without Stress)
- Hip Sinkage: The weight of your head pulls your hips down, disrupting the horizontal body position crucial for efficient swimming. (Source: Freestyle Swimming with Head Above Water : r/Swimming) This negatively impacts your overall form and propulsion. (Source: Is swimming bad if you keep head above water at all times ...)
Techniques for Swimming with Your Head Up (for Drills or Short Bursts)
While not ideal for long-distance swimming, you can swim with your head up using these strategies:
- Powerful Leg Kick: A strong, continuous kick is essential to counteract the drag caused by your head's position. Think of it as constantly propelling yourself forward. (Source: Swim With Head Above The Water)
- High Elbow Catch: Maintain a high elbow position during your arm pull to maximize propulsion.
- Short, Controlled Strokes: Use shorter strokes, focusing on efficient technique rather than long, sweeping motions. This helps to maintain better body position.
- Alternating Head Position (for longer swims): If you need to swim with your head mostly above the water for longer distances, try briefly lifting your head to check your direction, and then returning it to a mostly submerged position for most of your strokes. (Source: Head up while swimming : r/Swimming)
This technique is best utilized in very short bursts, for learning, or as a specific drill to improve your leg strength or other aspects of your stroke. It is not recommended for long-distance swimming.
Conclusion
Remember to prioritize proper technique and safety. If you're a beginner, always swim with a buddy and in a supervised area. (Source: How To Swim Freestyle With Your Head Out Of Water ! - YouTube)
