Swimming: Eye Focus
in the Front Crawl

Dick Moss, Editor, PE Update.com

When swimming the front crawl, many beginners make the mistake of looking straight down at the bottom of the pool. This is a problem because it puts the head in a less-than-ideal position, with the waterline touching the top of the head.

In fact, the head should be positioned with the face looking slightly forward and the waterline just touching the swimmer's hairline. This is a more streamlined position, and it reduces the amount of head-turn needed to breathe.

To produce the ideal head position, have your students focus a few feet ahead on the bottom of the pool, not straight

down.

References:
1. Ian McLeod, Swimming Anatomy, Human Kinetics, 2009.
2. Barrie Shepley (Coach, Canadian National Triathlon Team), “Cross-Training,” A Television Ontario (TVO) Production , December 8, 1995.

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