I've been teaching swimming for over 30 years and I built Swim Teach so that I can share all my knowledge, wisdom and experience from the thousands of swimming lessons I have had the pleasure of teaching. Take a look back through my previous newsletters and see what you missed.
A simple timing trick that makes breathing in front crawl feel natural
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What if your breathing timing was the one thing holding back your whole stroke? Hi, Mark here. I hope all is well with you. This week we are talking front crawl breathing - and more specifically, the timing of your breath. If you’ve ever felt your breathing “throws you off” in front crawl, you’re not alone. It’s one of the hardest parts to coordinate - but once you get the timing right, everything flows more smoothly. My full guide is right here. What timing meansIt’s not just when you breathe, but how arms, legs, and breath sync together. Most beginners start with a six-beat kick (six kicks per full arm cycle) - it gives balance and momentum. Where the breath fits
Keep it relaxed — rushed strokes make breathing harder. Quick practice tips
Full breakdown here: Front Crawl Breathing Timing. You’ve got this - small tweaks in timing make a huge difference. Happy swimming. PS - have you missed any of my previous newsletters? Click here for a list of them all. PPS - did someone forward this to you and you're looking to subscribe? Subscribe here. |
Hi! I'm Mark, creator of Swim Teach
I've been teaching swimming for over 30 years and I built Swim Teach so that I can share all my knowledge, wisdom and experience from the thousands of swimming lessons I have had the pleasure of teaching. Take a look back through my previous newsletters and see what you missed.
What’s the biggest challenge you face when teaching an adult to swim - fear, technique, or simply unlearning old habits? Hey, Mark here, I hope you’re doing well. This week, I'm tackling that sometimes tricky task of teaching adults how to swim, inspired by an article I wrote a while back. Why adapting your style matters Adults come to the pool with all kinds of backgrounds: varying fitness, flexibility, and confidence levels. The key is to meet them where they are, not push them into a...
A breaststroke leg kick that provides little or no power is frustrating. No problem; there are plenty of drills to correct it. Also, download a bunch of lesson plans to help you teach breaststroke. Hi, Mark here. Feeling frustrated? I've prepared a Breaststroke Kick Technique printable tip sheet to ease your frustrations. It has a great basic drill to help fine-tune your leg kick, along with some of the most common mistakes to look out for. Breaststroke Legs: Step By Step... We can break...
Hi Mark here, Happy new year! I hope all is well. A new term always brings a familiar rhythm - fresh faces, returning swimmers, and a renewed chance to make a real impact at poolside. Whether you’re just starting out or many years into teaching, the most effective lessons tend to share the same foundations: clarity, variety, patience, and purpose. With that in mind, here are a few simple reminders worth carrying into your teaching this term. Know who you’re teaching It sounds obvious, but...