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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/swim-bilateral-breathing

What does bilateral breathing mean in freestyle?

Breathing on both left and right sides.

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  1. Breathing on both left and right sides ✔
  2. Breathing only on the right side
  3. Holding your breath for three strokes

Why: Bilateral breathing means breathing to both sides, often every third stroke. USMS says it can make your stroke more even, and in open water it lets you breathe away from waves.

Huh, didn't know that: Some swimmers instead switch breathing sides each length, which also counts as bilateral breathing.

The dad joke
Why did the freestyle swimmer breathe to both sides? To stay fair and balanced.
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References

Answer: Breathing on both left and right sides. Bilateral breathing means breathing to both sides, often every third stroke. USMS says it can make your stroke more even, and in open water it lets you breathe away from waves.

  1. U.S. Masters Swimming: Freestyle breathing guide www.usms.org/fitness-and-training/guides/freestyle/breathing
    Learning to breathe to both sides can promote symmetry in your stroke
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. U.S. Masters Swimming: Open Water Swimming Tips www.usms.org/fitness-and-training/articles-and-videos/articles/open-water-swimming-tips
    Breathing to both sides, or bilateral breathing, is recommended in open water.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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