Body Balance with Freestyle Arms teaches awareness of the balance between rigidity…and fluid, functional movement.  

First, let’s look at how to set up the drill.  Start by using an ankle strap to secure a pull buoy between your ankles.  If you have a center-mount snorkel, this would be a good time to use it.

Position your body face down and oriented over a lane line.  Once you’re balanced in a horizontal position, extend one arm above your head and hold the other arm at your side.  Hold this position until you feel horizontal and stable.  
While maintaining your position in the water, initiate a freestyle pull with the extended arm…while sweeping the trailing arm through the water until it is extended above your head.  As much as possible, try to stay in one place as you coordinate the movement of your arms.  

Now, the fine points.  Kristian is doing two very different things and doing them at the same time.  He’s maintaining rigidity through his legs and torso, allowing him to stay in one place and to keep his body long and stable.  At the same time, he’s performing fluid, functional movement with his arms.  It’s this balance – between rigidity and fluidity – that is the heart of the drill.  In order to reduce drag, you must hold enough tension in the body to maintain a stable shape.   But you must also be able to perform the movements of swimming.   This drill helps you master that fine balance.

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Body Balance – Freestyle Arms