Learning to breathe correctly can be one of the most challenging aspects in swimming, particularly when the stroke is the front crawl. Many people practice their kick and then the arm stroke when they get ready to swim, but they are not given proper instructions about breathing. This is essential because you will not be able to take more than one or two strokes without learning to breathe properly.
Step 1
Exhale into the water. If you don't breathe out, you will not be able to breathe in. Do not hold your breath. Breathe out when your face is in the water.
Step 2
Turn your head to the left in order to take air in. This should be done as you are pulling with your left arm. Your body naturally will turn to the left, and it will be easy to turn your head in that direction. Open your mouth fairly wide to take in air. If you get some water in your mouth spit it back out. If you just open your mouth a small amount, you won't get enough air but you still will take in water.
Step 3
Inhale quickly as you take air in. You want to get as much air into your lungs as possible, and that requires a quick sucking of air into your mouth. However, you should exhale slowly when your face is in the water.
Step 4
Open your mouth as you breathe out. Do not breathe out through your nose; push the air out of your mouth with a slow, strong blowing motion, creating bubbles. No water will come in as you blow out.
