How To Float: Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners
How To Float: Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners
I am a professional swim coach that transforms beginners into advanced swimmers. In this guide, I guarantee to teach you one of the most basic swimming techniques: FLOATING.
You'll learn:
- How to start floating
- How to prevent sinking
- Correct body position in the water
- And more
If you're tired of your legs sinking and want to float, this guide is for you.
Let's get right into it!
Danila Novikov
All- American swimmer & owner of the NYC-based swim school
intro to the Basic Swimming Techniques
You Need to Know This Before Learning to Float
The ability to float in the water is natural for human beings. Yet, most people struggle to figure it out on their own. Learn the critical science behind floating to set yourself up for success in the pool.
In swimming, floating simply means staying on top of the water without sinking. Let's take a toy boat and throw it in the water. Shortly after, you'll notice the ship peacefully floating and not going underneath. This is because of something called buoyancy. It's the force that helps things stay up in the water.
Now, let's go just a bit deeper into why buoyancy works. Remember how we talked about the toy boat? When you put a boat in the water, it squeezes some of the water out of the way. Then, the water squeezes the boat back up, which is why your boat floats.
That is called Archimedes' Principle. It states that the water pushes up with a force equal in magnitude to the weight of water that gets pushed out of the way.
The same goes for your body: when you jump into the water, you push some of it out of your way, it pushes back hard enough to support your weight, and you'll float. Otherwise, you might sink a little until you find the right balance.
That is called Archimedes' Principle. It states that the water pushes up with a force equal in magnitude to the weight of water that gets pushed out of the way.
The same goes for your body: when you jump into the water, you push some of it out of your way, it pushes back hard enough to support your weight, and you'll float. Otherwise, you might sink a little until you find the right balance.
Like any other new skill, floating becomes easier to execute with practice. The more repetition you can get in, the more comfortable you'll feel. With enough time spent in the pool, you'll start to understand how your body interacts with the water and in what ways you should adjust your position to float better.
Remember, everyone's body is different. Some might float so quickly right away, while others need more practice. That's okay! The most important thing is to keep trying and not give up.
Remember, everyone's body is different. Some might float so quickly right away, while others need more practice. That's okay! The most important thing is to keep trying and not give up.
A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS
Learn How to Float in Six Easy Steps
Want to become a better swimmer? Start by mastering the art of floating! This how-to-float step-by-step guide for beginner swimmers will provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to float with ease.
step 1
Ensure the correct position in the swimming pool before starting the float
Get one leg before another as if you were about to start a race. Ensure your chest is in the water and your arms extend in front, staying slightly below the surface.
step 2
Inhale before beginning your float
Take a big inhale with your mouth and hold it. Filling your lungs with air will ensure a better position inside the water and make your body more buoyant.
step 3
Initiate the float the right way
Slowly lean into the water with your upper body until your head is underwater.
Your feet should push off the bottom, slowly lifting hips and legs to the same level as your upper body.
Keep your arms straight in front and relaxed while floating. Make sure to tuck your chin to your chest while looking straight down toward the bottom of the pool.
Your feet should push off the bottom, slowly lifting hips and legs to the same level as your upper body.
Keep your arms straight in front and relaxed while floating. Make sure to tuck your chin to your chest while looking straight down toward the bottom of the pool.
step 4
Ensure proper body alignment
Hold your breath inside your lungs. The more oxygen, the better. Remember: it helps you not to sink.
Relax your muscles and joints while floating in the water. Keep your arms under the water and your hands close to your ears.
Ensure your upper and lower body are aligned well: your arms, head, rib cage, hips, and legs should be on the same level. Keep your legs close to each other, and don't bend your knees while floating in the water because that will make you sink.
Relax your muscles and joints while floating in the water. Keep your arms under the water and your hands close to your ears.
Ensure your upper and lower body are aligned well: your arms, head, rib cage, hips, and legs should be on the same level. Keep your legs close to each other, and don't bend your knees while floating in the water because that will make you sink.
step 5
Move through the water (if needed)
Our level of buoyancy varies, with some being able to float easily near the surface area while others struggling with the right position to float in water. I have a few tips for the second group of people.
Consider propelling your body through the water by maintaining the floating position and adding small movements.
Using a combination of pulling and kicking with your legs will help you stay on the surface area.
Consider propelling your body through the water by maintaining the floating position and adding small movements.
Using a combination of pulling and kicking with your legs will help you stay on the surface area.
step 6
Practice ending your float without sinking
-
Bend your knees and push them towards the stomach.
-
Tuck your chin to your chest and don't get your face out of the water before you feel the bottom of the pool with your feet.
-
Push your arms against the water until they reach your hips, so your feet can reach the bottom faster.
-
When ready, get your head out of the water. Once you're up, breathe fresh air in and relax.
Get comfortable making those small movements together until floating becomes natural to you
Want to learn prone swimming position?
Prone Float: Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners
Learning how to float is crucial for beginner swimmers. Learn how to prone float with this step-to-step guide from Danswim Blog.
bonus
Perfect Your Float in Water With This Drill:
-
Come closer to the pool wall. Take a deep breath and glide towards it.
-
Instead of stopping the float when you reach the wall, practice pushing yourself off the wall to glide backward.
-
Glide backward for a bit until you feel you are about to sink. Bend your knees and push your arms down to stop the glide. Tuck your chin down to your chest and maintain the streamlined position.
-
When ready, put your feet on the bottom of the pool and stand up. Repeat until you feel more comfortable with the drill.
THANKS FOR READING TILL THE END
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- Exercises to overcome your fear of water;
- Step-by-step instructions for learning basic swimming skills;
- Fundamentals of physiology and psychology of swimming;
Bonus For Those Struggling
Troubleshooting Your Floating
If you tried my guide and still failed to float, don't worry! Some common mistakes all beginners make prevent floating, and we'll run through some tips to help you overcome these obstacles.
-
Mobility Issues
Sometimes, issues with floating result from mobility problems. To maximize flexibility, do some light stretches of your shoulders, back, and legs before entering the water. You can also use a pool noodle or a flotation device for support during practice. Gradually get used to the water by getting in at the shallow end and moving into deeper water as you slowly feel more comfortable. -
Muscle Tightness
Tense muscles will not let you relax and, therefore, float. Deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation can release tension in the muscles. Take a few deep breaths, and from your toes up to your head, feel your muscles go loose. Light exercises or easy water aerobics will further warm your muscles and prepare your body before the float. Note that concentration on your buoyancy and deep breathing might significantly help you float. -
Anxiety and Fear
Fear in the water can also interfere with learning to float. Ease into feeling comfortable in the shallow pool area, then gradually work your way toward floating as you gain more confidence and comfort in the water. Having a friend or instructor who will support you while you practice will help you feel safer, thus helping you to fully relax and float. Additionally, consider practicing positive visualization: close your eyes and see yourself floating effortlessly, removing all the worries and fear around it. -
Body Position Adjustments
Still struggling? Well, slight body positioning adjustments can make a big difference. Slightly submerge your head, with your face and ears in the water, and look straight down toward the bottom of the pool. Your body should be as horizontal as possible, so keep your hips and legs up. Gently arching your back and raising your chest can help in weight distribution and buoyancy. Spread out your arms and legs to increase surface area and support from the water. -
Regular Practice
Floating is one of those skills that gets better with practice. If you don't get it right immediately, do not get discouraged. Keep trying, and you will notice how effortless and almost natural the skill of floating has become for you. The frequent practice will help your body get accustomed to the water, and soon enough, you will float with ease. -
Seek Professional Help
If, after these suggestions, you're still having issues with floating, get help from a professional swim instructor. They'll give personal guidance on how to master any area that you're finding difficult. Professional help will do wonders, especially if there are inevitable specific hitches.
Other Factors That Influence Your Ability To Float In Water
-
Your body composition
Body composition characteristics like muscle and bone structure, body fat percentage, and lung capacity will influence your ability to float.
It doesn't mean there's a wrong body type for learning to float. Everyone can master this skill, but individual anatomy makes it easier for some people and harder for others. -
Characteristics of the water
Have you ever noticed that floating on the surface in salt water is easier? That's because seawater has a higher density than fresh water. The properties of the water influence buoyancy.
Conversely, it would be harder to float on the water's surface when it's wavy.
So, sometimes, it's not about you. Just take a few deep breaths and keep practicing.
Take a Deep Breath, And Keep Going... What To Do After Learning To Float?
Take a Deep Breath, And Keep Going... What To Do After Learning To Float?
Once you learn how to float in the water with your face in, move on and learn how to swim on your back with this how-to-float-on-back step-to-step guide. Floating on your back might be the most chill swim you will ever learn. This knowledge might stay with you for the rest of your life. So, proceed cautiously and learn the most chill swim at your own risk.
Are you looking to improve your swimming skills? We can assist you if you're located in or planning to visit NYC. Our swim lessons in New York are available to individuals of all ages and skill levels.
Follow the link to Danswim Online Swim School and get a FREE consultation! Fill out the form and attach a video of your swimming stroke, and I'll give you personalized tips and tricks to help improve your technique. Take advantage of this opportunity- it's 100% free! We have an abundance of helpful resources at your fingertips. Dive into the Danswim Blog for expert tips and insights.
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for helpful tips and swimming insights. Master the art of swimming with our engaging YouTube content.
Are you looking to improve your swimming skills? We can assist you if you're located in or planning to visit NYC. Our swim lessons in New York are available to individuals of all ages and skill levels.
Follow the link to Danswim Online Swim School and get a FREE consultation! Fill out the form and attach a video of your swimming stroke, and I'll give you personalized tips and tricks to help improve your technique. Take advantage of this opportunity- it's 100% free! We have an abundance of helpful resources at your fingertips. Dive into the Danswim Blog for expert tips and insights.
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for helpful tips and swimming insights. Master the art of swimming with our engaging YouTube content.
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