We all long for that elusive, smooth swimming stroke. While practice is essential, sometimes you need a little help to feel what "correct" actually feels like. The problem with most swim gear is that it makes swimming easier (like fins) without teaching you anything. Today, I want to share three...

The head lead body rotation drill is the foundation of a successful swimming stroke. If you skip this drill or rush through it, you’ll likely struggle to improve your stroke efficiency later on. Proper body balance is one of the most important aspects of fast, effortless swimming. I...

Ever wondered what happens when you combine the two most powerful strokes in swimming? The result is "Butterfrog," an old-school hybrid stroke that merges the arms of butterfly with the kick of breaststroke. While you won't see it in the Olympics, this unique stroke is a fantastic drill for ma...

Swimming is an amazing sport, but staring at the black line can get boring. Sometimes you need a little distraction to stay motivated. But the best distractions are the ones that make you faster. I like to call them "coaching toys", equipment designed not just to make swimming easier, but to force...

The breaststroke kick is powerful, complex, and often the hardest part of the stroke to master. You've probably been told to "kick like a frog," but the real motion is much more nuanced. This lesson will break down the mechanics of a proper breaststroke kick, moving past the frog analogy to teach...

The breaststroke arm pull is a sequence of continuous, accelerating movements. Unlike freestyle or backstroke, it’s not a simple rotation; it's a powerful sweep that requires precise timing and technique. This lesson will break down the entire arm stroke into four distinct phases, complete with vi...

Sometimes, the best way to learn how to swim correctly is to see what not to do. In this post, we will analyze a short video of a freestyler swimming in an endless pool. First, watch the video and try to spot the mistakes yourself. Then, read the breakdown below to see if you correctly identifie...

Want to see what a near-perfect distance freestyle looks like? Sometimes, the best swimming lesson comes not from instruction, but from observation. We're going to break down slow-motion videos of two swimming legends, Grant Hackett and Sun Yang, to serve as your virtual coaches. By studying exact...

When swum correctly, backstroke is arguably the most graceful and beautiful of the four strokes, appearing as if the swimmer is gliding effortlessly across the water. But this effortless look is the result of mastering four key technical elements. This lesson will dissect each one - head position,...

In our last lesson, you mastered the forward somersault in open water. Now, it's time to take that skill to its final destination: the wall. This lesson will guide you through the process of timing your approach, planting your feet, pushing off, and twisting back onto your stomach. With a little...

For many swimmers, the freestyle flip turn can seem like a complex and intimidating skill. But with a little patience and a step-by-step approach, you can master it in no time. This is the first lesson in our series on the flip turn. Before we even think about the wall, we are going to focus on th...

To become a faster, stronger, and more injury-proof swimmer, you have to get out of the pool. Dryland training is just as important as the laps you put in, as it allows you to build foundational strength and fight gravity in a way that water never can. This post lays out a blueprint for a great dr...