Breathing Drills
Breathing is the foundation of life and swimming! From the beginning the swimmer must be taught progressive, systematic breathing. The beginner is first taught to breathe as a dryland exercise (naturally), then using a ping pong ball in the water, and then with their faces in the water.
- Dryland Breathing: This can be practiced on the pool deck or standing in the shallow water. Take a breath on 1, blow out on 2, 3, 4, 5 and repeat. The systematic breathing should be repeated until it becomes automatic for the student.
- Ping Pong Ball: The swimmer standing in shallow water, with the chin on the surface, repeats the same system as practiced above. Breathe in on 1, and blow the ping pong ball on 2, 3, 4, 5 and repeat.
- Face in Water I: Breathe in on 1 (face out of course),
place face in the water and blow out on 2, 3, 4. Blow bubbles on 5.
Keep blowing and lift the face out of the water.
This can become what is called the "Bob," which is a fantastic breath control drill and fun for the swimmer. - Face in Water II: Using a kickboard, kick and blow bubbles, working on the 1 to 5 system, lifting the face up to the front to take the breath. The board can be under the body for the beginner (more flotation and comfort), more advanced swimmers should have the board out in front of the face.
