Although the crawl style is usually the first to be learned and the one that advanced swimmers dominate almost perfectly, it is always positive to evaluate whether 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 style for humans, such as crawl or freestyle, swimming is a sport that demands great coordination with lifeguard certification. The athlete must concentrate a lot to achieve correct technique and, in this way, reduce fatigue and enhance their movement in the water.
How to swim the front crawl better
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 are some of the most important:
Ensures correct leg work
According to many coaches, excessive energy expenditure in the movement of the legs is not beneficial for the swimmer. On the contrary, these specialists affirm that the role of the legs is to balance and accompany the propulsion that is achieved with the arms, and not to be another source of advancement for the swimmer.
Therefore, always remember to maximize the efficiency of the movement, which should start at the hip, with a slight bend in the knees and extended ankles. 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 the inclination of the body that occurs at the moment of recovering the arms and breathing. Why do we say that it is important to do it well?
In the first place, because not turning enough causes that the frontal resistance to the water is greater; something similar to what happens when the head is raised above the surface of the water. In addition, the proper role allows you to bring the elbow higher, relax it more and, therefore, perform a better recovery.
Coordinate well to improve crawl style
To the coordinated action of the 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 failure is to breathe before the arm in front enters the water. This prevents the swimmer from concentrating on executing a good hand entry (with the elbow higher than the hand, which is inclined at 45 ° with the thumb entering first), essential to start the push with less swell and achieve a more efficient movement.
Learn how to get a good push
The moment in which the swimmer ‘catches’ water to propel himself is decisive to achieve good times. The point is that, when performed 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 may seem like a detail, it constitutes a large part of the swimmer’s final speed, which directly influences their performance. Do not forget to practice the effectiveness of this action!
Work on strength and flexibility for the crawl style
Finally, it is totally advisable to do strength training outside the pool to get 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 – such as stretching or yoga – give muscles make it easier to execute each movement for good swimming technique.
In short, what can be clearly appreciated is that the 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 videos and analyzing your performance later? Supplement your training with these tips and become a better swimmer!
