How to Use Snorkels to Practice Freestyle Breathing

Freestyle breathing is one of the most challenging skills for swimmers to master. Many beginners struggle with timing their breath, rotating properly, or feeling out of rhythm during their stroke. One of the best tools to overcome these challenges is the swim snorkel. Unlike traditional snorkels used for casual swimming or snorkeling, swim training snorkels are designed to help you refine technique, build endurance, and practice efficient breathing.

In this article, we’ll break down how to use snorkels to practice freestyle breathing and unlock smoother, more efficient swimming.

🏊‍♂️ Why Use a Snorkel in Freestyle Training?

A swim snorkel allows you to keep your head in a neutral position while swimming, removing the need to rotate for air. This means you can:

• Focus on stroke mechanics without interruptions.

• Improve body alignment and balance.

• Practice breathing drills without fatigue.

• Build lung capacity and confidence.

By taking the “breathing problem” out of the equation temporarily, you can refine other aspects of your freestyle stroke.

🔑 Steps to Practice Freestyle Breathing with a Snorkel

1. Get Comfortable with the Snorkel

• Begin by using the snorkel while floating or kicking lightly.

• Take slow, steady breaths to build confidence.

• Practice exhaling underwater through your nose to prevent water from entering.

2. Swim with Head Neutral

• Swim freestyle with the snorkel, keeping your face in the water.

• Focus on long, clean strokes without worrying about turning to breathe.

• Keep your body aligned — snorkels naturally encourage better posture.

3. Add Breathing Awareness Drills

Once you’re comfortable, try removing the snorkel for short intervals:

• Swim 25m with the snorkel, then 25m without it.

• Concentrate on replicating the same head and body position when turning to breathe.

4. Practice Bilateral Breathing

Snorkels are excellent for teaching symmetry in freestyle.

• Alternate breathing to both sides after snorkel removal.

• Use the snorkel to feel balanced and avoid over-rotating when you reintroduce side breathing.

5. Include Hypoxic Training (Optional, Advanced)

Some swimmers use snorkel caps or restrictors to limit airflow, building lung endurance.

• Try short sets (e.g., 4×50m) with restricted snorkel breathing.

• Always train under supervision and never push hypoxic drills alone.

🏋️ Sample Freestyle Snorkel Drill Set

1. 4×50m freestyle with snorkel – focus on posture and stroke length.

2. 4×50m freestyle alternating snorkel/no snorkel – practice consistent head position.

3. 6×25m freestyle with snorkel – emphasize exhaling underwater and controlled rhythm.

   
   

✅ Benefits You’ll Notice

• Better body alignment and less drag.

• Improved breathing rhythm when you return to normal freestyle.

• Increased endurance from uninterrupted stroke practice.

• Reduced anxiety about breathing, especially for new swimmers.

🌟 Final Thoughts

Using a snorkel isn’t just for beginners—it’s a powerful tool for swimmers of all levels. By isolating breathing from stroke mechanics, you can train smarter, swim longer, and ultimately master freestyle breathing with confidence. Add snorkel drills to your weekly practice, and you’ll quickly notice more efficient and enjoyable freestyle swimming.