Most people will agree that the Breaststroke is more challenging to master when compared to the Frontcrawl. While this may be true, it is possible to swim long distances using the Breaststroke without too much stress even if you are not doing it properly.
On the other hand, the trouble with Frontcrawl is that if you're not doing it correctly, you will not go far. It's as simple as that.
I have seen many swimmers, who are good swimmers as far as the Breaststroke is concerned, struggle to complete a single lap on a 25m pool using the Frontcrawl. Very often, the swimmer gets tired after a length or two and then immediately switch back to what they know how to do well- Breaststroke. Sometimes, the swimmer stops in the middle of the swim to tread water.
So is it right to describe yourself as a strong swimmer if you are good with Breaststroke but not the Frontcrawl? The answer is yes. A fast swimmer? The answer here is a big NO!
The need to develop a Frontcrawl technique that is very effective is usually fuelled by the desire to swim fast. If you are preparing for a lifeguard course or just trying to enter an open water swim, you will understand that as good as your Breaststroke is, you will need the Frontcrawl to make it. Frontcrawl is the fastest of all the popular swimming strokes.
Here are some of the common challenges you will encounter as a Breaststroke swimmer trying to learn the Frontcrawl:
1. THE KICK: If you're a good Breaststroke swimmer, you must be used to pushing water backwards with the soles of your feet. The Frontcrawl on the other hand requires the flutter kick which doesn't feel as powerful. Well, unlike the Breaststroke, most of the power for the Frontcrawl doesn't come from the kicks, instead it comes from the upper body. Try not to kick too much as you will burn a lot of energy unnecessarily. Your kicks should come from the hips and help to keep your body in a good horizontal floating position. You must learn to do this with ease, not with too much power.
2. BREATHING: As a Breaststroke swimmer, you have plenty of time to inhale as you pull. A big challenge with the Froncrawl is breathing. The floating position (lying horizontally with face in the water) helps you move easily in Frontcrawl but the need to breathe ideally on every three strokes means you need to turn to your sides and inhale quickly without pausing your swimming. You will need more oxygen if you are using a lot of energy as a result of drag caused by poor technique. Truth is, this is the main reason you get tired quickly and stop.
My advice is focus on getting the techniques right. For a start, don't try to go long lengths. Stop immediately you notice you are struggling and try to correct what you are doing wrong. Typical mistakes will be that you are not exhaling after inhaling, or you are raising your head up too much and sinking your legs, or you are kicking too fast. When you get the techniques right, you'll discover that your breathing is easier. A swimming teacher will tell you what you are doing wrong.
3. BILATERAL BREATHING: Most swimmers learning the Frontcrawl will come across this problem. Turning to one side to inhale usually come naturally. The ability to turn on both sides is a challenge for many swimmers because most people are either left-handed or right-handed.
Although breathing on one side does not mean your Frontcrawl is wrong (some elite swimmers breathe on one side), breathing on both sides means you have a good balance on the water. It also means your breathing is perfect because you are able to turn anytime to either side, never having to hold your breath.
The best way to learn the bilateral breathing is to do it. It will appear difficult at first. You may tend to raise your head up rather than turn to your side, but if you persist, you will overcome this challenge.
4. LEGS SINKING: In Breaststroke, it is possible to have your legs more on the vertical position and still swim comfortably. Legs position in the Frontcrawl is strictly horizontal. Anything other than that will cause drag. A good legs position and a relaxed head facing the bottom of the pool will make your frontcrawl smooth. If you're a beginner and you find your legs sinking when attempting the Frontcrawl, stop and start with a glide keeping your legs flat and raised. Try and maintain this position as you swim. A kick board can help you improve your kick technique.
