The most important aspect of learning to swim may be the use of correct form. Many different methods will keep you afloat, but proper technique and form are important when you want to focus on swimming faster. When you are beginning, you may learn freestyle first, followed by other strokes such as the backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. You can swim faster, regardless of what stroke you are using, by learning to swim more efficiently.
Step 1
Keep your body as straight as possible in the water. One of the basics for new swimmers is learning how your body floats. Whether you are on your back or front, you should be able to float in the water. By keeping your body afloat, you do not have to expend energy straightening yourself, but rather focus on moving forward. The straighter you are, the less resistance you have to fight in the water.
Step 2
Make your strokes a long, controlled motion. Maximize each stroke, reaching out as far as possible and bringing down your arms all the way to your body. Every time you shorten a stroke, you are reducing efficiency. Start slow and focus on how far each stroke takes you, rather than the speed of your strokes. Once you get a controlled motion down, your frequency will increase, helping to make you faster.
Step 3
Turn your body from side to side in the water as you swim the freestyle or backstroke. After you have the basic technique down as a beginner, you can begin to actively work to increase your speed in the water. As you start each stroke, roll your torso away from the arm you are using. When you are on your side, you reduce the drag in the water, as opposed to when you are on your stomach. You want to slightly tilt at an angle so you move faster through the water.
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