How to Swim Freestyle Without Getting Tired

Have you ever wondered how some triathletes and open water swimmers seem to be able to just keep swimming forever? If you’ve wanted to learn how to duplicate their skills without getting tired, then this drill is for you. 

This three-point drill is great for developing the timing of front-quadrant swimming, which is important for those trying to learn to swim effortlessly at an all-day pace. Front-quadrant swimming means that one hand is always in front of your head, which lengthens your body and reduces drag. 

While the drill is called the three-point drill, it actually has five movements, and they might seem odd at first. But stick with it—you’ll soon see an improvement in your timing and your reach, which will allow you to swim more efficiently and with less fatigue.

For stability and to make it easier to perform the correct movements while you’re learning this drill, wear fins.

To start, push off the fall on your stomach and roll to one side with one arm extended above your head. With the other arm, start with your hand down alongside your upper thigh, then move slowly through the five movements:

1. Shark fin—Bring your hand to your waist and tap your fingers so your elbow is pointed toward the sky like a shark fin sticking above the water’s surface.
2. Chicken wing—Then, bring the hand up to tap onto your shoulder, again while keeping a high elbow so that your arm makes a triangle or chicken wing shape. 
3. Head tap—Then bring your hand to your head and tap the side of the head that’s above the water. 
4. Switch—Finish the recovery and keep your hand extended above your head. 
5. Roll to air—As your hand enters the water above your head, roll onto the other side and take a breath before starting the same series of taps on this new side. 

It's important to keep your eyes down while executing this drill—this will help keep your body in ideal alignment. The lead arm should be extended, palm down as though it’s poised and ready for the catch.