Front crawl: hands cross the centre line

Hands enter across the head, making the body snake from side to side.

Activities that help

• Catch-Up Crawl – One hand waits on a float until the other arm catches up – slows front crawl down so swimmers can feel each part.
• Pull Buoy Crawl – Front crawl with a pull buoy between the thighs so swimmers can concentrate on the arm action and breathing timing.
• Single-Arm Front Crawl – One arm works while the other stays extended in front – isolates the arm action and breathing to the working side.
• Spear Entry – Hands enter fingertips-first in front of the shoulder, then extend forward under the water – fixes slapping and overreaching.
• Train Tracks – Hands enter the water on two imaginary train tracks in line with the shoulders – stops crossing over and keeps swimming straight.