7 common mistakes in freestyle swimming by kids
It is very important to master any swimming stroke at an early stage. Making changes to the style of swimming becomes more and more difficult as you grow older.
Mastering the swimming stroke at an early stage establishes a solid foundation for advanced swimming skills. Learning the correct technique from the beginning enables swimmers to build upon it as they progress to more complex strokes and swimming techniques. It is much easier to correct and refine technique habits early on than to unlearn and relearn them later.
Freestyle or front crawl is one of the first strokes swimmers learn when they learn swimming.
7 mistakes young swimmers make in Freestyle
Here are the common mistakes in freestyle swimming made by young swimmers as beginners.
Swim coaches and parents watching their children swim can take note of these mistakes and monitor them to see if the child improves on these mistakes.
Kicking mistakes
Swimmers often make mistakes with their kicking technique. Common errors include
- kicking from the knees rather than the hips,
- kicking too rapidly or slowly,
- inconsistent or forgetting to kick completely
- or having an unbalanced kick with legs spread out or crossed.
A strong and effective kick originates from the hips, with a fluttering motion and consistent rhythm.
Incorrect Body Position
One of the most common mistakes is an improper body position in the water.
Young swimmers tend to keep their heads out of water. When the upper part of the body is higher, the rest of the body moves downwards or tend to sink. When the hips go down, it creates a drag making it more difficult to swim.
Swimmers should aim to keep their body position horizontal and near the water surface.
Overreliance on Arm Strength
Young swimmers may rely too much on their arm strength instead of utilizing their entire body to generate power. They also tend to have arm rotations faster in an attempt to reach the other side faster. This makes them tired.
Teaching them to engage their core, use proper kicking techniques, and coordinate their arm movements with their body rotation can help them swim more efficiently.
Incorrect Breathing Technique
Breathing can be challenging for young swimmers. They may lift their heads too high, turn their heads too late or early, or forget to exhale properly in the water. Helping them develop a relaxed and smooth breathing rhythm, practicing proper head rotation, and exhaling fully underwater can improve their breathing technique.
Proper breathing technique involves rotating the head smoothly to the side, inhaling quickly, and exhaling fully in the water.
Lack of Body Rotation
Proper body rotation is essential for efficient freestyle swimming.
Young swimmers may swim with limited body rotation or fail to coordinate their arm strokes with their body rotation. Encouraging them to rotate their torso and shoulders during each arm pull can help improve their technique and power output. Regular practice can help swimmers to gain confidence.
Swimming in a zigzag pattern
The body should be in a straight streamline position. When the arms cross over each other or the legs are kicked far away from the body, the body tends to move sideways and the swimmer almost makes a zig-zag pattern while swimming. Learning to maintain a streamline position is an important skill and time and effort has to be put in by the swimmer.
For those interested in competitive swimming, mastering the stroke at an early stage is crucial. Competitive swimming places a high emphasis on technique, and swimmers with solid stroke mechanics have an advantage in races. By mastering the stroke early, swimmers can focus on refining their skills, increasing their speed, and strategizing their race tactics.
It is important to note that mastering a swimming stroke is a continuous process, and swimmers should always strive for improvement. Regular practice, receiving feedback from coaches, and participating in swimming lessons or programs can further enhance stroke technique and overall swimming ability.
How can you teach your child proper freestyle swimming?
Enroll your child in Swimming Lessons
Consider enrolling your child in swimming lessons conducted by qualified instructors. Swimming lessons provide structured guidance, a progressive learning curriculum, and a supportive learning environment for your child to develop their freestyle swimming skills.
Find a Qualified Coach or Instructor
Seek out a qualified swimming coach or instructor who specializes in teaching freestyle technique. Look for a certified swim teacher who is trained to teach young swimmers swim safely and correctly. A knowledgeable coach can provide expert guidance, correct any technical errors, and offer personalized feedback to your child.
Encourage Regular Practice
Encourage your child to practice freestyle swimming regularly. Swimming is a skill that improves with practice and consistency. Find opportunities for your child to swim, whether it’s in a pool, open water, or during family outings to the beach. Regular practice will help them build confidence and refine their technique.
Be Supportive and Encouraging
Offer your child constant support and encouragement throughout their swimming journey. Praise their efforts, progress, and achievements, no matter how small. This positive reinforcement will boost their confidence and motivation to continue learning and improving.
Model Good Swimming Technique
If you are a proficient swimmer, demonstrate good freestyle technique to your child. Or showing youtube videos great swimmers swimming will help your child understand and master freestyle. They can learn by observing your strokes, body position, and breathing technique.
Educate Yourself on Freestyle Technique
Take the time to educate yourself on proper freestyle swimming technique. Understanding the fundamentals of the stroke will enable you to provide better guidance and support to your child. You can refer to instructional videos, books, or consult with swimming professionals for accurate information.
Provide Constructive Feedback
When observing your child swim, provide constructive feedback on their technique. Focus on one aspect of their freestyle stroke at a time and offer suggestions for improvement. Be specific and positive in your feedback, highlighting what they are doing well and what they can work on.
Use Fun and Engaging Activities
Make swimming enjoyable for your child by incorporating fun and engaging activities. Play games, create challenges, or set goals to make their swimming sessions exciting and motivating. This approach can help maintain their interest and enthusiasm for learning freestyle swimming
Support Their Participation in Swim Teams or Competitions
Encourage your child to join a swim team or participate in swimming competitions if they show interest and readiness. Being part of a team or having goals to work towards can provide additional motivation, foster a sense of camaraderie, and help them progress in their freestyle swimming skills.
Prioritize Water Safety
Alongside teaching proper freestyle techniques, prioritize water safety education for your child. Teach them about water hazards, safe swimming practices, and the importance of following rules and guidelines. Instilling a strong foundation of water safety knowledge will enhance their overall swimming experience.
Remember, every child learns at their own pace, so be patient and understanding throughout the process. Celebrate their progress, no matter how small, and focus on creating a positive and supportive swimming environment for your child.
