The tennis ball under chin drill is designed to correct head position for breathing in which stroke?

• A. Breaststroke
• B. Freestyle
• C. Butterfly
• D. Backstroke

Answer: (A)

In breaststroke, maintaining a compact, neutral head position while breathing is key to keeping a clean line through the water. The tennis ball under the chin drill gives a tactile cue to keep the chin tucked and the head in line with the spine, rather than lifting the head too high or tilting it. If you rise too much, the ball would move or fall, signaling you to shorten the head lift and stay more streamlined. This helps you time the breath with a minimal, controlled head movement, reducing drag and preserving the glide that follows the stroke’s pull. Since other strokes often require different head and breath patterns (like turning the head to the side in freestyle), this specific drill best supports the breathing mechanics and body alignment needed for breaststroke.