Front Crawl Swimming

The front crawl, also known as freestyle technique is the most common of all. Other names used in reference with this technique are the 'American crawl' and 'Australian crawl'. FINA hasn't provided any specification for the front crawl swimming technique. Let us understand more about this type of swimming. The freestyle swimming tips presented in the article should also help.

Front Crawl Swimming Technique

The initial position for front crawl swimming stroke is that of lying on the stomach with hands and legs outstretched. The proper arm and leg movements are important in any swimming technique. Let us understand the different body movements in this form of swimming.

Arm Movements
The movements of arms are divided into the pull, push and recovery. Arms move alternately in circles, i.e. in vertical plane. When one of the arms is in pull and push phase, the other is in recovery. Beginning with the front crawl, one should force the hand downwards with the palm at a 45 degree angle (thumb should be at the bottom side). This hand should be moved in a semicircle; this movement (pull) gets completed near the rib cage. The push movement begins at this point; the arm first moves downwards and then sideways. Movement of the arm during recovery takes place in a semi-circular pattern, vertically. The arm is quite relaxed while moving forward in this phase. The shoulder is rotated in the recovery phase to reduce the drag; twisting the torso helps rotate the shoulders. It is important to relax the arm during recovery phase. Moving the hand by raising it above the elbow height (and away from the body) increases the effort that one has to put in; one should therefore, try to avoid such movement. More details about the freestyle swimming technique for beginners can be obtained through following paragraphs.

Leg Movements
Flutter kick is another name given to leg movements. The movements of legs take place in such a manner that either of the legs kick the water; other leg moves upwards; this kind of alternate moves help stabilize the body while performing the front crawl. Legs are generally bent inwards, while slightly outward in some cases. Exerting a greater force than what is required or bending the legs to a higher degree are the common mistakes of swimmers. One should avoid these mistakes in order to conserve energy.

Breathing
The activity of breathing properly is as important as arm and leg movements. Turning the head from side-to-side is necessary to breathe during the front crawl. It is advisable to breathe by indulging into minimal movements of the head. A simple technique/trick which can be used to prevent much head movement is breathing in the space of trough (wave) created by forward movement of the body.

Overall Body Movement
The overall body movement in the front crawl takes place along the long axis of body. This movement results into one of the shoulders (with the recovering arm) raised higher than the other. Since, the shoulders move alternately, drag experienced by the body is less.

Swimming Drills

There are many swimming drills that one can make use of to improve the freestyle swimming technique. Here are few of these drills.

Catch-Up
In this freestyle swimming drill, one of the arms, at a given point of time is always kept in a stationary position. It means that if the left hand is kept stationary, the right hand performs the stroke. This arm (which performs the stroke) comes in line with the stationary arm after one stroke. The stationary arm should then be put to work and the moving arm stopped (stationed in a forward pointing position).

Fingertip Drag
This exercise is meant for swimming in a manner that allows for high elbow recovery. In this drill, the style of swimming is not changed. However, one important change is made in the arm movement. Contact between, the water and fingertips of recovering arm is maintained. It requires a disciplined effort for this movement.

The front crawl technique help move at a faster pace than in other forms of swimming. It is therefore, commonly used and the most popular swimming technique. The basic methodology and other front crawl swimming tips presented in the article should be helpful for beginners.