Swimming really fast doesn't happen overnight. You might get frustrated when you make your best efforts in the pool, splashing loudly and stroking furiously -- and one lane over, a swimmer zooms past seemingly effortlessly. Unlike other sports, trying harder doesn't necessarily make you faster in the pool. A technique-intensive sport, swimming requires you to become comfortable in a foreign environment, and the rules for moving fast in water differ from those on land.
Relax and Streamline
Nicknamed the "Russian rocket," Olympic swimming champion Alexander Popov had legendary technique as well as speed. One of the hallmarks of Popov's swimming technique was how smooth he was in the water. Though he moved fast, his stroke appeared relaxed and elongated rather than choppy and frenetic. Rather than forcing his way against water's resistance, Popov cut through the water, reducing the drag and friction created by his own movements. You can improve your speed in the water too by streamlining your body and relaxing in the water.
Body Position and Roll
Once you stretch out and relax your body, focus on rotating it with every stroke you make. In freestyle you should swim primarily on your side, cutting through the water and reducing your profile in it. Because water is denser than air, every movement you make meets with greater resistance -- so to move faster you must slip through the water rather than fight against it. Keeping your hips high and your body position neutral will help you go faster, as will rotating your body to breathe, rather than lifting your head.
Kicking
Developing a strong steady kick is essential to swimming fast. Flutter kicking in freestyle should start from your hips and end with a flexible flick of your ankles. Wearing fins can help you improve leg and ankle flexibility, but avoid using them continuously during workouts. Use a kickboard and keep your head above or below the surface of the water to vary your body position, or kick on your side.
Practice
To swim really fast, there is no substitute for time spent in the water. Getting a feel for the water can be elusive and the learning process differs from one swimmer to the next. Specific drills such as the catch up drill -- with fins, paddles and snorkel -- get you accustomed to the body position and distance travelled per stoke you need to achieve to swim faster. Working with a coach or a swim team helps you focus and make the most of your time in the pool.
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