Swimming freestyle/front crawl
The front crawl is the fastest of the front swimming strokes and the technique is used during all freestyle swimming competitions.
Stage one
- Position the body flat in the water with a slight slope down to hips.
- The water line should be between the eyebrows and the hairline with eyes focused forward and slightly downward.
Stage two
- Begin alternate kicking with knees slightly bent and movement starting at the hips.
- Keep ankles relaxed, point toes and kick up. Try to prevent splashing.
Stage three
- Begin alternate arm action with a slightly bent arm and ensure the hand is turned with the palm facing half outward for a thumb-first entry.
- Extend the arm out of the water to a natural stretch and ensure the hand re-enters the water in-line with the ear.
- As the hand enters the water, bend the elbow to 90掳 and change the hand position to curve inward toward the body's mid-line.
- As the stroke is completed, bring the arm upward, outward and backward and exit the water little-finger first.
Stage four
- Throughout the strokes, maintain breathing by bringing the turning the head with the natural roll of the body.
- Ensure that the breath is released gradually until the next in breath.