How to Breathe Front Crawl

Mastering front crawl breathing is key to efficient and comfortable swimming. It involves coordinating breath with your arm stroke and body rotation.

Key Principles of Front Crawl Breathing

Exhale Underwater: Before turning your head to breathe, fully exhale underwater through your mouth and/or nose. This clears space in your lungs for a full inhalation. The YouTube video "Front Crawl Breathing | Improve Your Swimming Technique" suggests exhaling gradually or explosively.
Rotate, Don't Lift: Instead of lifting your head straight up, rotate your body to the side. This keeps your body relatively streamlined and reduces drag. As the video mentions, "Keep your head in line with your body as you rotate back to horizontal with your next arm stroke."
Inhale Quickly: As your body rotates, turn your head to the side, quickly inhale through your mouth, and then return your head to the water. This should be a swift, efficient movement.
Coordinate with Stroke: The timing of your breath is crucial. Generally, you'll breathe every 2-5 strokes, coordinating the inhale with the extension of your arm on the breathing side. Sources like SwimNow emphasize the importance of relaxation, pattern, and repetition. The rhythm of your breathing and arm strokes needs to be practiced and will differ depending on your individual comfort level.
Practice Makes Perfect: Learning front crawl breathing takes time and consistent practice. Starting with drills in shallow water can build confidence and gradually increase the difficulty. Several websites (Swimming.org, Swim-Teach.com) offer drills and advice for improving your breathing technique.

Exhaling fully before rotating: Ensure your lungs are completely emptied before initiating your breath.
Controlled Exhalation: Avoid gasping for air which may make you feel breathless.
Quick Inhalation: Inhale quickly to avoid taking in water, then smoothly rotate your head back into the water.
Consistent Breathing Pattern: Find a pattern (e.g., breathing every 3 strokes) that suits your comfort level.

Fear of Water Inhalation: Many beginners avoid practicing breathing due to fear of water entering their airways. Start practicing in shallow water where you can easily touch the bottom, and gradually move into deeper water as you build confidence.
Breathlessness: This can be caused by poor breathing technique or inefficient swimming. Focusing on controlled breathing and proper body position can improve this.
Coordination Difficulties: Practice drills focusing on the coordination of breathing and arm strokes.