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Front Crawl Body Position

When it comes to proper swimming technique, front crawl body position can make or break your efficiency as you swim. Correct body position during front crawl means less chance of sinking - and nobody wants that sinking feeling!

Scroll down and discover 5 body position quick-fixes that will make your swimming stroke smoother, easier and more efficient. 

So many times I get asked, ‘why do I sink when I swim front crawl?’, ‘why does my swimming stroke fall apart when I take a breath?’ and, ‘why do I get so out of breath when I swim?’

Best front crawl swimming technique is all about efficiency through the water, and an effective, streamlined body position in the water helps to get the maximum efficiency possible.  This means you swim using the minimum amount of energy. Swimming longer distances with less effort is something that most swimmers, whatever their ability level, would love to be able to do.

I have seen so many average swimmers over the years discover that ‘eureka’ moment as they fine-tune their body position and shape in the water and suddenly swim with smooth, balanced and rhythmical technique. 

With all this talk about the ’best body position for front crawl’, it's not just about your position relative to the water surface.  It is very much about the 'shape' that your body creates as you move through the water - and that means focusing on small details such as head, hands and feet positioning. 

The following video explains these important points about ideal front crawl position. Look carefully at how the arm pulls are continuous and smooth, the leg kicks remain balanced and all movements work together to maintain an efficient position and shape at the surface of the water. 

Front Crawl Technique Video: body position

Five Quick-Fixes For Ideal Front Crawl Body Position

1.  The head position for front crawl in crucial.  The waterline is around the natural hairline with eyes looking forward and down.  

2.  The head must remain still (apart from when breathing) in order to maintain a balanced and rhythmical movement.  Excessive movement of the head will cause the rest of the body to become unbalanced and its overall movement will be inefficient. 

3.  Shoulders remain at the surface and roll with the arm action.

4. Hips also roll with the stroke technique, close to the water surface and the legs remain in line with the body.

5.  Hands and feet must be together throughout the swimming stroke as this gives the body its efficiency, allowing it to move smoothly though the water. As the arms are alternating, the hands cannot literally ’be together’, but instead they must return to their place after each pull, stretched out in front of the nose line, to maintain an overall streamlined shape. 

Common Front Crawl Body Position Mistakes

The common body position mistakes made are with head position and hand and feet position during the stroke.

• If the head is too high over the water surface, it will cause the legs and feet to be lower under the water surface and cause the overall body position to be sloped and therefore very inefficient.
• If the head and face is too deep in the water it will cause huge resistance against the top of the head and make you feel like you're swimming through jam.
• If the hands or feet move apart it causes the overall shape of the body in the water to become wider and therefore inefficient.  

How Is Your Body Position?  Check and Correct...

The best exercise to practice perfecting the correct body position and shape is a push and glide from the poolside.  The swimmer pushes off from the pool wall or floor and glides across the water surface, keeping the head central and hands together and feet touching together.  See the image below. 

Now Add the Rest of the Stroke...

Download 'How To Swim Front Crawl' to your computer, tablet or mobile device and fine-tune your body position along with the rest of freestyle swimming stroke.  Use the technique tips in my book to focus on the shape of your body as you swim. (click here for an instant preview)

Download my book today!

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Related Pages

Sinking When Swimming Front Crawl. 'I find myself sinking when swimming front crawl. I'm able to float and also, with push glide and leg action alone, manage some decent distance.'