In stroke analysis, what is the recommended breathing pattern?

• A. Head rises at the start of the insweep, with one breath per stroke.
• B. Head stays submerged throughout the stroke, with no breath per stroke.
• C. Head rises at the end of the stroke, with two breaths per stroke.
• D. Head lifts after exhale, with one breath every two strokes.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is to time breathing with the arm cycle to keep the body clean and the rhythm steady. Breathing at the start of the insweep lets you take in air while the hand is just catching water, so your head lifts smoothly and the body stays mostly streamlined. This timing minimizes drag, helps maintain balance, and supports a steady tempo with one breath per stroke, which is efficient for staying oxygenated without breaking rhythm.

Breathing with the head staying fully underwater wastes valuable time and can lead to fatigue as you miss opportunities to oxygenate. Reaching the breath at the end of the stroke tends to disrupt the line of the body and adds drag, slowing the pace. Taking two breaths per stroke is unnecessary for most paces and disrupts rhythm, while breathing every two strokes can limit oxygen delivery and reduce stability at higher efforts.