Swimming: Breaststroke - Coaching Cues to Keep the Head from Lifting Too High

Dick Moss, Editor, Physical Education Update.com

A common error in the breaststroke is lifting the head and body too high out of the water when taking a breath. This causes two problems. First, lifting the head and body causes the legs to drop excessively, interfering with the body's streamlined position and resulting in extra drag.

Second, in order to lift the head and body, force must be directed downward instead of backward. This energy is better directed backward for more efficient ?propulsion
Coaching Cues
Here are two coaching cues that will prevent your breaststrokers from lifting their head too much.

Instead of lifting the head, instruct them to thrust the chin forward to the surface of the water, .
And they should pull back with the elbows high instead of pushing downwards with the hands.

Reference: David Thomas, Swimming Steps to Success, Human Kinetics Publishers, 2005. http://www.humankinetics.com/products/showproduct.cfm?isbn=0736054367&;associate=3905

To download the pdf version of this
article, click here: Download Now