1. Heads Up
Begin swimming freestyle by focusing on how your body is in the water. Your head should be in line with your spine and you should be looking forward towards the wall. This may seem uncomfortable since you are basically moving your head to look straight upward but this position allows you to see where you are going and helps decrease drag as you move through the water. If you lower your head, you are creating an obstacle for the water to move around and will increase the amount of force you must exert to move through the water.
2. Flutter Kick
A flutter kick is used with the freestyle stroke. This is a kick that is done with your legs straight, knees slightly bend. You should use your hips and legs as well as your feet to move through the water. The kick should feel natural and not forced. Allow your legs to move in the water and to not try to lock your knees to force your legs into a completely straight position. In beginning swimmers there is a temptation is to create a huge kick but this will actually hurt rather than help. Kick you kick quick and efficient.
3. Arms Overhead
The pull in freestyle swimming is an important part of the freestyle swimming technique. To begin a pull in freestyle, begin with your arms over your head in streamline position. Pull one of your arms with your elbows bent through the water underneath your body. Create a paddle out of your hand by holding your fingers closely together and cupping your hand. Your elbow should be the first thing out of the water. Be sure to pull your elbow high out of the water and allow the rest of your arm you follow. Once your finger exit the water, move your arm quickly over your head and back to the streamline position. Your fingers should be the first thing to enter the water. Concentrate on maximizing your stroke by extending your arm to the maximum length in front of you. As you first arm exits the water after the pull, you should begin the stroke with the other arm.
4. Body Roll
As you swim your body should roll from side to side in the water. This motion maximizes your reach as you move your hands over your head and will give you a bigger pull with each stroke. This roll should extend from your hips to your shoulders. To get the most out of your stroke and to get used to the motion of the body roll, pretend to reach far above your head toward an object ten feet away. Allow your shoulder to reach and your body from one side to the one that you are reaching with.
5. Breathe in Three
It is usually recommended that you breathe every three strokes. This allows you to breathe on both sides. You're going to breathe as one arm is coming out of the water and beginning to stretch out over your head. Midway through this recovery there is a opening created by the bend from your upper arm and forearm. Rolling your the side that is pulling, bring your face out of the water and take a quick breath.
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