Improve the technique of the front crawl

 Despite the fact that the front crawl style is usually the first to be learned and the one that advanced swimmers dominate almost perfectly, it is always positive to evaluate if the technique that is executed is adequate. To do this, we present below some recommendations that will be useful to you.

Even in its most natural styles for the human being, such as the front crawl or freestyle, swimming is a sport that demands great coordination with lifeguard certification near me. The athlete must concentrate a lot to achieve a correct technique and, in this way, reduce fatigue and enhance their movement in the water.

How to swim better the front crawl

For those who are new to this sport, there are certain recommendations that can be very helpful, especially if you do not have the possibility of having a professional coach to supervise the practice. Here we list some of the most important:

Ensures the correct work of the legs

According to many coaches, excessive energy expenditure on leg movement is not beneficial to the swimmer. On the contrary, these specialists affirm that the role of the legs is to balance and accompany the propulsion achieved with the arms, and not to be another source of progress for the swimmer.

Therefore, always remember to maximize the efficiency of the movement, which should start at the hips, with a slight bend in the knees and the ankles extended. The action of the legs should resemble that of a whip, to put it another way. You can practice it using boards, fins, and paddles.

Control the roll

It is about the inclination of the body that occurs at the moment of recovery of the arms and breathing. Why do we say it is important to do it right?

In the first place, not turning enough makes the frontal resistance to the water greater; something similar to what happens when you bring your head above the surface of the water. In addition, the proper role allows you to take the elbow higher, relax it more and, therefore, perform a better recovery.

Coordinate well to improve the crawl style

To the coordinated action of arms and legs, in this case, we must also add the turning of the head to one side to breathe; this is also done through the rolling mentioned above.

A common mistake is to breathe before the lead arm enters the water. This prevents the swimmer from concentrating on executing a good entry of the hand (with the elbow higher than the hand, which has a 45° angle with the thumb entering first), essential to start the push with fewer waves and achieve a more efficient movement.

Learn how to get a good push

The moment in which the swimmer 'grabs' water to propel himself is decisive for achieving good times. The point is that, when done underwater, it is a very fine mistake that often goes unnoticed.

The important thing, in this case, is to draw an 'S' under the body to 'collect' the water that will be pushed back. Although it seems like a detail, it constitutes a large part of the swimmer's final speed, which directly influences his performance. Don't forget to practice the effectiveness of this action!

Work strength and flexibility for the front crawl

Finally, it is totally advisable to do strength training outside the pool to achieve more powerful and resistant muscles. In this way, greater effectiveness of the movements is achieved and the onset of fatigue is delayed.

On the other hand, the flexibility that certain exercises give to the muscles —such as stretching or yoga—makes it easier to execute each movement for a good swimming technique.

In short, what can be clearly seen is that the front crawl style technique, as well as that of the other styles, encompasses movements that are related to each other. In general, a failure in any of them will generate instability that will almost inevitably lead us to make mistakes in others as well.

Fortunately, today we have many tools that help us improve. Have you tried recording yourself on video and then analyzing your performance? Complement your training with these tips and become a better swimmer!