You’ll quickly realize the importance of head position on backstroke.  Where your eyes are looking can have a great impact on your ability to swim.

One way to think about a good head position is to think about looking at the ceiling.  Obviously, our swimmers are outside, so there is no ceiling, but they have to imagine they are looking up, at the ceiling.  

You’ll also notice how still our swimmer’s head is.  No bobbing from side to side, but almost like she’s staring at the ceiling… locked in as the ceiling passed overhead.

Again, you can take note on how still the head is, and how the eyes are looking up, but ever so slightly back.  This slight tilt or tuck of the chin helps to keep the head in a position where water won’t go up the nose.  

We are trying to solve a couple of issues with the head position.  First, the head needs to be far enough back into the water so the hips can rise so we can create a balanced body.  Second, we have to make sure we don’t put the head into a position that water can easily flow into the nostrils.  Nobody likes water up their nose.

By laying back and then ever so slightly looking at the ceiling JUST behind where you are, you’ll get a slight tuck of the chin that will help you solve both issues.

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Where to look - Backstroke