After the swimmer can do Position 11, and after they can add kicking and a nice big armstroke to Position 11, we add breathing.

Have them stand in the water for this, with their hands on their knees. And make sure they can touch the bottom. If they can’t touch the bottom, then you need to create some sort of platform they can stand on in the water…

…or, you can balance the swimmer on one leg.

The key words are bubbles… and breathe. Bubbles and Breathe.

Have them blow bubbles for 5 seconds, then rotate to the side for a breath. Keep the other cheek and ear in the water when they breathe.

Tell them to have their ear on the pillow when they breathe…

….then eyes down and look at the bottom when they make bubbles.

Sometimes you will need to manipulate their head in order to keep that ear on the water and to not lift up.

Get them comfortable with bubbles and breathe while standing…

…then have them kick with one arm extended and the other arm at their side.

Position yourself on the swimmer’s non-breathing side so you can assist with proper rotation of the head as the swimmer gets a quick and low side breath with chin to shoulder.

Have them kick with one arm extended, breathing with chin to shoulder…and then going eyes down for 5 seconds of bubbles.

The next step is to start in Position 11 and swim with just one arm. Do a big stroke with one arm and take a breath to the side as the hand pulls down.

Go eyes down and bubbles as the arm returns to Position 11. Kick a little bit in Position 11 and then do another cycle of pull and breathe with the same arm.

The last step for breathing is to swim with both arms. Start in Position 11.

Pull and breathe to the side…then eyes down and bubbles…and then keep doing bubbles as you make a big pull with the other arm and return to Position 11.

The way to help kids learn this is to give them a “Bubble Arm” and a “Breathing Arm.”

Repeat the mantra as they swim: Position 11…Breathing Arm…Bubble Arm…Position 11. Breathing Arm…Bubble Arm…Position 11.

By repeating the sequence out loud, you’re reinforcing the right moves with verbal cues and giving them a simple mantra that they will remember.


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Freestyle Breathing - Steve Haufler