Head Position in Freestyle Swimming

Head Position in Freestyle Swimming

By Amita Vadlamudi

A experienced computer systems engineer, Amita Vadlamudi enjoys swimming in her free time. When performing the freestyle stroke, swimmers such as Amita Vadlamudi can improve their technique by mastering proper head positioning in the water.

In swimming and many other physical activities, the position of the head determines the position of the rest of the body. As a rule of thumb, swimmers should allow their hairline to crest the surface of the water in front of them, ensuring a straight line forward. By relaxing the muscles of the neck and upper back, a swimmer can minimize resistance from the head and avoid forcing his or her upper body to dive down below the surface. While it may be instinctual for a swimmer to keep his or her mouth as close to the surface of the water as possible, the face can also act as a form of resistance, which slows a swimmer down and fatigues his or her back muscles.