Swimming Questions

I don't wear a cap or goggles. I have to keep my hair short because I'm in the pool daily, so it just turns into sticky straw if I let it grow. When I had to wear goggles, I found the Speedo ones were best. I know it's a name brand and all, but a lot of Speedo's stuff is really good. And they take feedback, so every new release of something is better until it's perfect...although once in a great while, the improvements are disappointing.

The finger thing - you just have to feel it. I suppose expert coaches could help better, but you will know what works for you, what pulls you faster, smoother, as you gain experience. Sometimes, just to work different muscles, I swim wacky ways. Try doing wacky things with your fingers to see the different results.

You might be able to take a class for stroke perfection. This is another thing you kind of have to play with until it feels right. I feel almost like I'm pulling back before my hand is in. As you get better, you just feel it.

You're rocking, right? You're not doing that kid thing where you just turn your head, are you? If you are, stop. You should naturally want to rock your body as you go. Use that to help with the breathing.

Swimming is fun. Goof off. Play around with different ways to move through the water. You learn how your body works that way. If you're thinking, "No! I just have to do the crawl!" try to think of it in a Wax on, Wax off kind of way. If you aren't part fish, you'll suffer for it. Spend a lot of time practicing, but spend a lot of time having fun.

Your head is part of your body. It's all one thing. Don't spend too much time worrying about where your head should be. Just learn where it works best. Breathing does suck, though. It is such a shame that we have to breathe. I wish they could give us gills via surgery. The breathing is so annoying.

Keep practicing. The more time you spend in the water, the better you get. If you live near the ocean, swim in it when you can.

Swim all kinds of ways. It's good for your muscles and doing one stroke well pays off in another.

And FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, do not listen to people who tell you you shouldn't splash when you swim. They don't know what the hell they're talking about. Never worry about splashing. You cannot swim fast and well without splashing.

Again, consider a stroke perfection class. And just spend time in the water.

Good luck!

1) Mine usually covers the tops of my ears but not the whole ear, does not really matter though.
2) Goggles go over the swim cap.
3) No, they should be together but not tight.
4) Your hands should enter the water in front of your shoulder almost fully extended with your hand at a slight angle in, hitting the water they first extend forward and out to full extension, angle your hand in and pull back and towards your midline and then about at your chest you change the angle and pull away from your midline out so your thumb brushes your hip on the way out and pull your elbow up to breathe. There are books from the red cross you can buy on form showing the dynamics and I'm guessing you tube may have something too.
5) This is harder for me to visualize while not swimming. Yes, you look at the bottom but maybe slightly forward. As you are kicking you kick in little bursts side to side rotating your hips slightly. So with your hips rotated slightly and opening your shoulder as you lift your arm to breathe your head should only lift slightly to the side to breathe.