Which answer best describes the process of breathing while swimming freestyle?

• A. The head turns to the side of the arm that is out of the water, allowing the mouth to be out of the water
• B. The head comes out of the water while looking forward
• C. The swimmer turns over onto their back so the mouth is free to breathe
• D. The head turns to the side of the underwater arm, allowing the mouth to be out of the water

Answer: (A)

Breathing in freestyle is a side-breathing action timed with the recovery of the arm. As one arm finishes pulling underwater and begins its recovery above the surface, you rotate your head to the side so the mouth stays at or just above the water to take a quick breath. This keeps the body in a streamlined position, preserving momentum and reducing drag.

This description matches turning the head to the side of the arm that is out of the water, so the mouth is out of the water for the breath. Turning toward the arm still in the water would make it hard to breathe and disrupts the stroke, lifting the head forward breaks the streamlined position, and rolling onto the back describes backstroke, not freestyle.