10 Freestyle Drills for Improved Technique and Endurance

Freestyle just might be some of the most fun you can have in the water. It’s the fastest stroke, which gives swimmers the best results they can wish for; smashing a PR feels even better when the numbers are so low already. 

An improved freestyle technique and a stronger, fitter body can all be achieved through regular freestyle drills. In this article, we’ll share with you some of our favorite swimming drills specifically designed to improve your freestyle swimming. Lots of training does carry with it a potentially higher risk of injury. So, following the freestyle swim workouts, we’ll give you some advice on how to avoid injury while swimming freestyle so you can enjoy longevity while working on your swimming technique. 

Our Top Freestyle Drills

Based on the results of an ESPN poll of sports scientists, academics, and top sports athletes, swimming requires not only endurance and strength, but also fine-tuned characteristics, such as flexibility, analytical thinking, and hand-eye coordination. Even beginner swimmers quickly learn that all the little details matter. Your body position is paramount, a high elbow can make all the difference during your catch, and even your fingertip placement can affect your hydrodynamics.

Coordination means implementing a motor scheme physically that your brain has planned. It takes good coordination to develop an efficient technique, and this can only be achieved by practicing while thinking about the mind-body connection at every training session.

With this in mind, here is a set of 10 drills to help you improve your technique, particularly your freestyle:

1. One Arm Only 

Swim freestyle for a length using a single arm with your other arm either extended along your side or out in front of your head. If you’re struggling with balance or endurance during this drill, you could hold a kickboard with your resting arm to improve buoyancy.

2. Freestyle With Breaststroke Legs 

Perform a breaststroke leg kick every cycle of arm strokes (right and left), breathing facing forwards as you make your leg kick. If you want to add more cardio to this drill, you can start underwater with a dolphin kick before your breakout. This will ensure your lungs and heart will be working overtime.

3. Fist Freestyle 

Swim freestyle with your fists clenched. This will force you to put in more arm reps to make distance as your catch will be much weaker. As a variation, start with clenched fists and then release one finger — starting with your little finger — every two arm strokes. You can also reverse this drill by using hand paddles to increase the power of your catch while adding resistance to your arm movements. This, in turn, will change the focus of this drill from cardio to strength and endurance.

4. Alternating 

Swim freestyle, pausing as your hand enters the water until your opposite arm has caught up, and pause for approximately two seconds. 

5. Long Sculling 

Swim “doggy paddle” using your arms to provide all the thrust from out above the water down to your thigh, performing your arm recovery phase underwater.

6. Short Sculling 

Block your elbows along your sides and thrust underwater using only your forearm, which “oscillates” alongside your body to create a semicircle.

7. Sculling Behind Your Head 

Lie on your back with your feet facing forwards and perform short and quick oscillating movements with your hands by rotating your wrists to drive yourself toward the other end of the pool.

8. Elbow Bending 

Accentuate your elbow bend during the arm recovery phase (external phase), touching your armpit with your hand and pausing for approximately two seconds.

9. Varying Your Arm Speed 

Swim freestyle with 3-4 fast arm strokes and 6-7 slow arm strokes. This is a type of HIIT training that will help you to improve your cardiovascular fitness.

10. Rolling 

Swim freestyle, breathing both sides, and pause briefly after you have completed your body rotation and taken your breath. This will slow you down, making you work harder. For a serious upper body workout, you can ditch the flutter kick and use a pull buoy, putting all of the work on the arms. This can make you more cognizant of your hand entry, improving your freestyle technique in the long term.