Whether you're new to swimming or a seasoned vet, a triathlete or open water competitor, the vast majority of your time in the water will involve freestyle. Use this guide to improve your breathing, body position, technique, flip turns and more.
Common Freestyle Flaws and How to Fix Them
Regardless of your level of proficiency in the water, there's always room for improvement, so even the most talented swimmers can improve by continually tweaking and refining their strokes.
10 Elements of a Perfect Freestyle Stroke - Part 1
Whether you're winding down your season or gearing up for the next one, taking time to focus on your freestyle technique is vital to continued improvement.
10 Elements of a Perfect Freestyle Stroke - Part 2
Part 2 of the top 10 things to concentrate on (not at once!) to improve and lock in your freestyle stroke.
7 Steps to Successful Swimming
Record-breaking Olympian Michael Phelps and swimming guru Terry Laughlin teach you how to swim like the pros.
How to Use Your Core in Freestyle
Using just your arms and legs to move through the water is a bit shortsighted. By integrating a little core and hip action into your stroke, you'll harness the energy of your entire body.
Bilateral Breathing
Many swimmers use only one side to breathe on, especially those who log a lot of freestyle yards. One of the most common questions in the swimming world is should you breathe on one side only or use bilateral breathing?
4 Steps to Easy Breathing in Freestyle
For beginning swimmers, learning to breathe is as important as discovering your stroke. Here are four ways to gradually build your confidence in the water.
Breathing Mechanics That Will Help Your Freestyle
If breathing breaks your stroke's rhythm, the solution isn't to hold your breath. Use these tips to put air in your lungs without compromising your technique.
Side-Aligned Balance Drill
One of my favorite "Long-Axis" Drills is what we refer to as the side-aligned balance drill. Basically, you begin at the "T", in a streamlined balanced position, not moving or touching the wall.
Perfect Your Flip Turn With Natalie Coughlin
Even veteran lap swimmers are sometimes stymied when trying to perform a good flip turn. Watch Olympian Natalie Coughlin show you how to have a flawless flip.
Learn to Master the Flip Turn
Novices and many triathletes struggle with the heels-over-head motion required to change directions while lap swimming. Here is how best to approach this seemingly simple but technically complex maneuver.
Extra Air and Fast Turns in Distance Swimming
Long pool sets mean lots of flip turns. For some swimmers, not breathing in and out of the turn can leave them gasping for air. Next time you're short of breath, try this method.
Structure Drills Into a Beginner's Training Plan
Some swimming novices blindly stick to the idea that technique will improve with conditioning. Structure these two drills into your training plan to improve balance and body position.
Visualize Perfect Freestyle to Improve Technique
Your pool sessions include drills, intervals and long-distance sets, yet you still feel like you're not improving. Time to train your brain.
Natalie Coughlin's Freestyle Kicking Tips
Olympic swimming gold medalist and world record holder Natalie Coughlin demonstrates how to strengthen your kicking for a faster freestyle.
Become More Efficient By Finishing Your Stroke
Powered by the triceps muscles of the upper arm, the finish of your stroke is essential in maintaining ideal efficiency in the water. It's also one of the first elements of a swimmer's stroke to fall apart when fatigue sets in.
Natalie Coughlin's Body Position Basics
Want to become more like a fish in the water? Improve your freestyle body positioning with these tips from Olympian Natalie Coughlin.
3 Tips From Natalie Coughlin to Improve Your Distance Per Stroke
Become a more efficient swimmer by decreasing your stroke count. Watch Olympian Natalie Coughlin explain how to improve your distance per stroke.
Natalie Coughlin's 3 Tips for a Stronger Underwater Kick
Are you slowing down when you push off the pool wall? Olympian Natalie Coughlin helps you improve your underwater kick in this video.
Go Faster in the Water With "Pretty" Swimming
"I feel pretty, oh so pretty..." These are more than just words to a song, they're a mindset for your swimming. Here's how to get faster in the water, and look good doing it.
Developing the Catch & Roll in Free and Back
Here are two drills each for freestyle and backstroke to improve the catch and roll in your stroke.
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