Over the last year I have been trying to practice breathing to the left as well as the right. However I tend to get disorientated and my breathing goes to pot. I only decided to try this because I saw top swimmers do it. It feels very unnatural to me.
2006-11-18 06:07:57 · 17 answers · asked by Chris M 2 in Sports ➔ Swimming & Diving
you should actually do bi-lateral breathing. try breathing every 3, 5, or 7 striokes. everyone says it is to be able to look at your competition, but it isn't. it is so that one of your shoulders doesn't grow a lot stronger than the other. it will kepp your muscles balanced. my friend didn't do bi-lateral breathing, and now his stronger shoulder is pulling his spine towards it and giving him scholiosis. so just try breathing on odd number strokes and you will soon get a hang of it. good luck!
2006-11-18 11:10:14 · answer #1 · answered by swid 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Usually swimmers breath from their favored side. But you can try double side too but I think you have been breathing from each side too frequently. (This will increase the level of oxygen in your brain and make you feel dizzy) Try breathing once (alternately each side) after every 3 or 5 strokes. If it still doesn't work out then I suggest that you stick to just single side.
2006-11-18 17:03:29 · answer #2 · answered by Slayer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be important in competition so that you could keep an eye on other swimmers on your left. Try breathing alternately to left & right. I find it more natural to breath to my right - I am right handed - don't know if that has something to do with it. I have to consciously work on breathing to my left. Stick with it & it will come.
2006-11-18 06:22:20 · answer #3 · answered by Caro 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you swim only for pleasure and fitness, breathing to the left isn't strictly necessary; the swim police won't haul you off in the night. However, if you really want to get it down whilst keeping some oxygen in your system; try alternating two/three left-turning breaths to every right-turning breath. That way you get to practice the less natural side whilst still getting a good lung-full. That was how I learned back in the day.
Have fun ;)
2006-11-18 06:21:45 · answer #4 · answered by Lou 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is not the most important thing in front crawl but it will help very much with your stroke. It you always breathe to your right you may hurt your neck and it will slow you stroke down in the in the long run.
2006-11-18 09:03:45 · answer #5 · answered by ean9222 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need both (if you're a top flight swimmer), because it can be useful when racing to see where your competition is (dependant on lane placement). As to your "natural" side, it really depends on what suites you. I breath left naturally, but as you say breathing on your "unnatural" side is not easy.
2006-11-18 06:23:25 · answer #6 · answered by baobabjim 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Left or right is not important when learning the stroke. Do what is comfotable.
When you are ready to advance and swim faster you will find breathing on every third stroke by alternating from left to right will give you more wind to make up for the oxygen you are using.
2006-11-18 06:17:01 · answer #7 · answered by Muddiver 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
if it is on race just breath anywhere u like to but on practice try to do 1 left one right.
2006-11-18 10:46:28 · answer #8 · answered by arash b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should be able to breath to both sides. It took me a while to be able to breath on both sides, but just practice and over time it will get easier. Try to make yourself breath every third stroke.
2006-11-18 06:27:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
the breath to the left is the rule for right handed swimmers, because the right arm will give the stronger stroke, however if you are left handed, or your lift arm give the stronger stroke then breath to the right.
it is a rule not a law. either is acceptable.
2006-11-18 06:27:10 · answer #10 · answered by Hannah's Grandpa 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋