Effortless Breaststroke: Easy Technique for Beginners Using the “Bubbles-Goggles-Arms” Method
Tired of struggling with breaststroke timing and breathing? Dan, an All-American swimmer and veteran swim coach, shares his signature technique for swimming effortless breaststroke — designed specifically for beginners and those looking to clean up their form. With over a decade of experience and hundreds of successful students, Dan breaks the stroke down into manageable steps using simple, memorable cues. The focus is on syncing the arm pull, flutter kick, and glide phases, with a unique breathing mantra: “Bubbles, Goggles, Arms.” You’ll learn how to push water downward to lift yourself up for a breath, how long to glide, and why pausing with arms extended is critical. His approach emphasizes rhythm, patience, and exhalation timing to make the stroke feel smooth and sustainable. If you’re ready to feel confident and comfortable with breaststroke, this is your go-to guide.
Takeaways:
• Use the “Pull-Slice-Kick-Kick-Kick” pattern to build rhythm and timing.
• Push water downward with your arms to lift your head for a breath.
• Follow the breathing mantra: Bubbles → Goggles → Arms for smoother coordination.
• Count a 3–5 beat glide after each stroke to reinforce propulsion and control.
Introduction to Breaststroke: Dan, an All-American swimmer and swim instructor, introduces the video, emphasizing that he will share unique techniques for effortless breaststroke swimming, developed over more than a decade of teaching.
Focus on Teaching Methodology: The instructional approach is tailored to accommodate swimmers of varying skill levels, aiming to simplify the learning process through refined techniques.
Step-by-Step Technique:
Initial Position: Begin with arms extended and chin tucked, initiating a flutter kick.
Arm Movement: Turn palms outward and pull water away, ensuring proper positioning to maximize propulsion.
Recovery Phase: Bring hands together under the torso and slice the water for the recovery phase.
Importance of Timing:
Stressing the necessity of pausing with outstretched arms at the beginning of each stroke helps in the differentiation between the start and end of the stroke, promoting better technique.
The pause also serves to allow for proper exhalation before surfacing for air.
Breathing Technique:
To breathe effectively, the swimmer should push water down with their arms, lifting their chin, which aids in keeping the head above water for a more extended period.
The importance of timing in exhaling and inhaling is highlighted to ensure efficient breathing during the stroke.
Mantra for Memorization: Introducing a repetitive mantra - “bubbles goggles arms” to aid learners in remembering the sequence of actions: exhaling underwater, lifting the chin for air, and recovering arms back into position.
Integrative Practice:
The video emphasizes practicing strokes without the breathing initially, focusing on the stroke and gliding to build muscle memory.
The mantra can help reinforce timing and rhythm in the swimming stroke.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting:
If swimmers feel they are going too deep underwater, the advice is to hold the breath until naturally surfacing.
Students are encouraged not to panic during execution, as maintaining composure is critical.
