How do we use mirrors for freestyle?  Simple.  Start with body position first, and teach “Position Eleven.”  The key words and phrases are...

“Look straight down at the mirror so you can see directly into your goggles.”

“Turn your arms into “railroad tracks.”  They should be straight and parallel.”

“Get your palms flat, and point your fingers directly forward.” 

“Be as straight and tall as you can be, with long legs and toes pointed.”

Once they get the basic freestyle body position, they add the kick, moving from the hips.

From there, we teach a big rainbow-type stroke with a straight-arm recovery that comes back like this to a full Position Eleven.  

When you teach the pull, have them look for the forearm to go vertical as the elbow pops up...

...or for the hand to press water back toward the edge of the same leg.

In the mirror, swimmers can see the hip roll out as the hand approaches it.

And they can see their arm as it recovers big and straight over the water.”  

To keep their stroke nice and extended, tell them to keep an eye on the lead arm and make sure it continues to glide right near the surface...until the pulling arm gets back to Position Eleven.”

When it comes to teaching freestyle breathing, mirrors are totally fun and very effective.

Tell them to look straight at the mirror and watch for bubbles coming out of their nose.  Make the bubbles come out in a long steady stream.

When they add the arms, the visual cue is...

“See your arm come past mid-way before turning your body and head to breathe.”

“See your face back in the mirror before you see the pulling arm enter the water.”


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Mirrors for Freestyle