“Swim like a fish” – this saying has become a dream for many, especially when summer comes, and the hot sun is scorching. Everyone wants to immerse themselves in the cool water. But do you know how to swim yet?
Are you dreaming of frolicking in the cool water, freely swimming like a fish without having to cling to a float or need a crane? Then freestyle swimming is the most suitable swimming technique for you. Freestyle swimming is not only a useful skill, helping you feel more confident in the water, but also a great sport to improve health, strengthen physical fitness, and relax your mind.
What is Freestyle Swimming?
Freestyle swimming (also known as the front crawl) is the most popular swimming technique, allowing swimmers to move quickly and efficiently in the water. This technique is considered more difficult than other swimming styles, but once mastered, you will feel the lightness, flexibility, and confidence when swimming.
Why Learn Freestyle Swimming?
“Learn a word, know a word,” the same goes for freestyle swimming. Once you master it, you will feel the wonderful benefits it brings.
- Boosts Health: Freestyle swimming is a full-body workout, helping you train muscle strength, increase endurance, improve breathing, enhance cardiovascular health, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- Relaxes the Mind: Freestyle swimming helps you relieve stress, dispel fatigue, and bring a feeling of relaxation and comfort.
- Boosts Confidence: Knowing how to freestyle swim makes you more confident when participating in water activities, such as swimming in the sea, swimming in rivers, going to the beach, river tourism, etc.
- Prevents Danger: Freestyle swimming is an essential skill to save yourself when encountering danger in the water.
How to Freestyle Swim for Beginners: Step-by-Step Guide
“Learning goes hand in hand with practice.” To master freestyle swimming, you need to practice persistently. Let’s explore each step, from basic to advanced:
1. Preparation Before Freestyle Swimming:
“Better safe than sorry.” Before starting, you need to prepare carefully:
- Appropriate Swimwear: Choose swimwear that fits your body, not too loose or too tight, ensuring comfort when exercising.
- Swimming Goggles: Swimming goggles help protect your eyes from water and help you see clearly underwater.
- Swim Cap: A swim cap helps protect your hair from water and also helps you swim faster.
- Swim with an Instructor: If you are a beginner swimmer, find an instructor to ensure safety and correct technique.
- Physical Exercise: Before starting to learn freestyle swimming, do some simple exercises to improve physical fitness, such as jogging, breaststroke swimming, light weight training, etc.
2. Basic Steps of Freestyle Swimming Technique:
“Master one trade.” The same goes for freestyle swimming, you need to master the basic steps:
- Step 1: Starting Position: Lie face down on the water, arms extended straight forward, legs extended straight back, head submerged in the water.
- Step 2: Push Off: Push yourself off the pool wall or a support, arms pull water backward, legs kick strongly backward.
- Step 3: Arm Action: Arms pull water in an S-shape, from shoulder to hip, arm straightens when pulling water backward.
- Step 4: Leg Action: Legs kick water in a V-shape, from hip to foot, thigh straightens when kicking water backward.
- Step 5: Breathing: Inhale through your mouth when your head is submerged in the water, exhale through your nose when your head comes out of the water.
- Step 6: Maintain Breathing Rhythm: Focus on maintaining a steady breathing rhythm, do not hold your breath for too long.
3. Practicing Freestyle Swimming Technique:
“Practice makes perfect.” You need to practice persistently to master the freestyle swimming technique.
- Practice Regularly: Try to spend time each day practicing freestyle swimming, at least 30 minutes.
- Focus on Technique: Focus on each movement, step by step, avoid rushing.
- Be Patient: Don’t be discouraged when encountering difficulties, be patient and practice persistently, you will gradually become proficient.
Common Mistakes When Freestyle Swimming:
“A miss by an inch is as good as a mile.” The same goes for freestyle swimming, pay attention to common mistakes to correct them:
- Irregular Breathing: Focus on maintaining a steady breathing rhythm, do not hold your breath for too long.
- Incorrect Arm Action: Make sure that the arms pull water in an S-shape, from shoulder to hip, arm straightens when pulling water backward.
- Incorrect Leg Action: Make sure that the legs kick water in a V-shape, from hip to foot, thigh straightens when kicking water backward.
- Body Not Straight: Try to keep your body straight when swimming, avoid a curved back or bowed head.
Important Notes When Freestyle Swimming:
“Safety first.” When freestyle swimming, you need to pay attention to:
- Safety: Swim in a safe area with a lifeguard and equipped with lifebuoys.
- Warm-up: Always warm up thoroughly before swimming to avoid injury.
- Do Not Swim Alone: Do not swim alone, swim with a friend or instructor.
- Listen to Your Body: If you feel tired, take a break.
- Learn from Experience: Learn from experienced freestyle swimmers to shorten your learning time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Freestyle Swimming:
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions.” Let’s answer frequently asked questions about freestyle swimming:
- Can older adults learn freestyle swimming? Yes, they can. However, you should consult your doctor before starting to learn freestyle swimming.
- Is freestyle swimming difficult to learn? The difficulty is because you have not mastered the technique. Once you have mastered the basic steps, learning freestyle swimming will become easier.
- Is freestyle swimming dangerous? Freestyle swimming is not dangerous if you know the freestyle swimming technique and swim in a safe area.
- Where should I learn freestyle swimming? You can learn freestyle swimming at swimming centers, swimming schools, or public swimming pools.
A Story About a Freestyle Swimming Learner:
“Story time.” I want to share with you a story about a freestyle swimming learner:
Hong, a 25-year-old girl, always dreamed of swimming freestyle like a fish, but she was very afraid of water. Every time she got into the water, she felt nervous, anxious, and unable to move.
One day, by chance, Hong was invited by friends to learn freestyle swimming at a famous swimming center. Initially, Hong was very shy and scared, but with the encouragement of her friends and the dedicated guidance of the teacher, Hong gradually overcame her fear and started learning freestyle swimming.
Hong focused on each movement, step by step, practicing persistently every day. At first, she encountered many difficulties, but never gave up. Gradually, Hong mastered freestyle swimming techniques and could swim long distances.
Now, Hong can confidently frolic in the cool water, enjoy the joy of swimming, and be proud of herself.
Conclusion:
“It’s never too late to learn.” Let’s fulfill our dream of freestyle swimming, enjoy the joy of swimming, and improve our health together.
Do you want to share your freestyle swimming experience? Leave a comment below!
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