Swimming backwards in reverse

Before this, I had never seen somebody swimming backwards. For whatever reason, the coaches at the place where I go have started the youngsters in backwards freestyle swimming drills. Never heard of it before, and we were never required to complete something similar in masters. They move quite slowly and it looks like it would be challenging to do. Does anyone know what kind of purpose this kind of drill is meant to serve?

Performing backward drills helps swimmers improve their sense of body control and spatial awareness. The skills learned from swimming backward can translate into a more efficient and balanced forward stroke, enhancing overall swimming performance.

Backward swimming, also known as “backward freestyle,” is a unique drill that offers several benefits for enhancing your swimming skills. Though it might feel unconventional, it can be quite effective:

Benefits of Backward Swimming:

  • Body Awareness: Swimming backward requires heightened attention to your body position and rotation, which can enhance your freestyle technique.
  • Leg Kick: It helps improve the timing and coordination of your leg kick.
  • Arm Stroke: By reversing the stroke, you can isolate and refine your arm mechanics.
  • Breathing: This drill can aid in developing better breath control and timing.

Potential Drawbacks:

  • Difficulty: Coordinating your movements can be challenging at first.
  • Safety: Ensure you practice in a safe environment with appropriate supervision.

When I first encountered backward freestyle swimming drills at my local swim school, I was intrigued and a bit confused since I hadn’t come across them before, especially not in my own masters training. The drills, while slow and challenging, serve a few important purposes. They help swimmers improve their body awareness and coordination, refine their stroke technique, and enhance their overall water comfort by forcing them to think differently about their movements. This approach can also strengthen their back muscles and balance, which are crucial for efficient swimming. It’s a unique way to build skills that may not be as evident in traditional training.