Swimming: Keep the Head Low in the Breaststroke
Dick Moss, Editor, PE Update.com
Lifting the Head Causes the Hips to Drop for Poor Streamlining
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When performing the breaststroke, you don't want a swimmer's head to lift too high out of the water. This causes the legs to drop, reducing streamlining. It also directs energy in the wrong direction—up, not forward.
Two coaching cues can help you to keep a breaststroker's head lower in the water.
Pushing the Chin Forward Keeps the Body More Horizontal
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Corrections
First, when it's time to breathe, instruct your swimmer to push the chin forward instead of lifting the head. This minimizes head lift.
You can also be sure your swimmer is pulling backwards with the elbows high instead of pressing downward with the hands.
References:
1. David G. Thomas, Swimming: Steps to Success (2nd Edition), Human Kinetics Publishers, 1996.
2. Mark Young, The Complete Guide to Simple Swimming, Eeucate and Larn Publishing, 2nd Edition, 2011.
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