How do i take a breath when doing the freestyle stoke?

Question

How do i take a breath when doing the freestyle stoke?

When do i take a breath? Where can i find videos on freestyle swimming and taking breaths?

Answer 1

You should breath to the side at the end of arm pull and before your arm goes up ( elbow recovery ) you can do 2 exercises to improve it:
1-Always watch your hand while your arm moving(left or right) when your arm goes up water keep watching your hand by lifting your head out and that's where you should inhale as your inhale shouldn't take more than 2 sec. ( keep watching your hand )
2- Do the side kick by using a kick board - always keep your head , body and leg kicks on side - You can use fins if you find that hard and if you cant keep your head out. ( This exercise is used when you cant turn your head to the side to inhale )
Important tip : Inhale out of water less than 2 sec as you are sucking something (lol) and exhale for 4 to 6 sec. as you are cooling a hot tea !!!

Answer 2

Breathe to the side, and make sure you TURN your head, not lift it. One ear should be completely submerged when you make your turn.

http://swimming.about.com/od/freeandback/a/breath_freestyl.htm

Here's some more in depth reading material.

For videos, try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cozct0_0VgU

It isn't hard to pick up, but many people do lift their heads, be sure to turn it. The answer below mine is correct, but too much to remember.

Answer 3

First, I assume you mean the American Crawl stroke. Freestyle in a race means you are free to use any style stroke.

In the American Crawl, you take breaths when needed when you lift either arm out of the water to take the arm stroke. Many competitive swimmers alternate sides and take breaths on every other or every third stroke.