This is part 5 of a collection of posts for each of my swimming levels for the Mr. Dustin's Swim Academy. If you feel like this level isn't for you. Then I encourage you to check out the other levels, or the complete list, via the swimming tag!

You will be more efficient, in control, and more Streamlined.

This level focuses on the divergence of the 3 Steps to Swimming. As there are two sides, the A and B sides, just like a cassette tape. The other goal is being more compact, and taking up less space. Thereby having less drag on your body as you are swimming.

Learning the Streamline

You'll have already done this, and probably without knowing it. As while you do your glides, then you end up doing a streamline position in the second half of the glide. The point of this is actually very important.

Decreasing in overall space taken, and minimizing drag. Streamline or starting position being a key part. Arms placed right up against the head, with smooth kicks to follow suit. Creating a torpedo-like shape.

Glides are even more refined and tight, strokes take up less energy and space. Efficiency is the focus of this level. Fine tuning everything "like a screw driver tightening the joints".

Each thing you do, from the gliding to the swimming, and even resting. They all need to be improved at this level. You will be like a screwdriver like I said, and then tightening every loose end.

You will learn of the "B-side" to the Three Steps to Swimming

The three steps will be listed out below, Side A in bold, Side B in italic.

1a. Kick legs Straight

b. Consistently

2a. Face Down

b. Chin Down

3a. Arms out of water, diving back in

b. Reach forward, and pull hard

You can see that it really isn't that much different, and for the first one for example. You'd already probably be doing it, as if you stop kicking... then you sink. Pretty quick negative reinforcement, that most people often experience.

Some of the other stuff like chin down doesn't initially make as much sense. However when you do it, then your head and neck become more streamlined. Just like an airplane, and you cut through the water even more.

Finally, the b-side to the arms is essentially just reminding you to pull. As so many people focus on the proper windmill-like pattern, and moreover trying to come out of the water. They forget to actually do the thing that is going to make them move forward.

Application of these three steps to ALL strokes in their own ways.

The 3 steps to swimming was made for the Frontcrawl, but they apply to ALL strokes. Which is something many people may not realize initially.

For frontcrawl and butterfly its basically the same. Keep legs straight when you kick, and get the arms out of the water. Keeping your face down, unless you need to breathe.

With breaststroke it gets a little more complicated. Instead of arms OUT of the WATER, they are simply OUT and AWAY from you. Then back in towards your center instead of diving back into the water. With your legs it is more of legs straight... but at the climax of the froggy kick. And then your head stays down like other strokes.

Finally, we have the backstroke, which is just like the frontcrawl again, but instead of face down towards your body (like you are looking at your toes). You are face down, looking up, as it is opposite to the orientation of when you are doing Frontcrawl.

Knowing these differences will help you adapt to the various strokes.

Disclaimer: This is advice for people to level up their swimming, or perhaps get started in the first place. While you swim you should make sure you are doing so in a public facility with a lifeguard on duty for safety.