Breathing technique: why rhythm matters more than holding your breath
Physical Education · Key Stage 2 · The School
Holding your breath feels safe, but is not
New swimmers often hold their breath the whole length. It feels careful. In fact it builds up carbon dioxide fast, which is what actually causes the panicky feeling, not tiredness in the muscles. This surprises most people. It can even make you feel dizzy in the water. Staying calm matters more than holding on tight.
Breathing out under water
The trick is breathing OUT steadily while your face is under water, not holding it in. Then you only need a quick breath IN when your head turns to the side. Two short actions, not one long hold. This feels strange for the first few tries. Blowing gentle bubbles the whole time helps you get the rhythm right.
A rhythm you can repeat
Front crawl usually uses a steady rhythm: breathe out for two or three strokes, then turn and breathe in on the next one. Keeping the same rhythm every length makes swimming feel calmer and far less rushed. Try it slowly at first. Speed comes later. Counting your strokes out loud in your head can help too.
A swimmer keeps stopping halfway down the pool, gasping. They have been holding their breath the whole way and only breathing out in a rush at the surface. They are shown a new pattern instead: breathe out slowly and steadily under water, then take a normal breath in when the head turns. On the very next length, using the same rhythm throughout, they reach the far end without stopping once. Nothing about their fitness changed in that time. Only their breathing pattern did.