A series of five realistic underwater swimming images showcasing different beginner swim drills swimmer performing a standing kick drill learn to swim Binghamton University

Essential Swim Drills for Beginners: Breath Control, Floating & Streamlining

The Learn to Swim workout focuses on foundational swimming techniques designed to build water confidence, breath control, and efficient movement in the pool. The session begins with a structured warm-up featuring drills like Stand & Kick, Burpee Bubbles, and Back Floating with a noodle, ensuring students develop body positioning awareness. The pre-set introduces intensity with interval-based Sit & Kick and Wall Kick exercises, training participants to manage effort and recovery systematically. This structured approach ensures swimmers build endurance while reinforcing proper kicking technique and breath control.

Moving into the drill set, swimmers practice essential skills like the Standing Streamline, Mushroom Top Flip, and Floating Streamline to enhance hydrodynamics and relaxation in the water. Sculling and floating drills train the hands and body to interact effectively with water resistance, promoting balance and efficiency. By the end of the workout, students gain a deeper understanding of buoyancy, propulsion, and controlled breathing—fundamental skills needed to advance to more complex swimming techniques confidently.

An instructional swimming image demonstrating the '100 IM Individual Medley' drill. The image features a swimmer transitioning between the four strokes

The Ultimate Guide to 100 IM: Transitions, Turns & Stroke Efficiency

The 100 IM (Individual Medley) Drill is a fundamental swimming workout that challenges swimmers to execute all four strokes—butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle—in one continuous race. This drill enhances stroke versatility, builds endurance, and refines transitions between strokes. By mastering the proper order and learning effective turn techniques, swimmers develop a smooth and efficient racing strategy, crucial for competitive swimming.

Beyond just speed, this drill focuses on technical efficiency and stroke balance. It teaches swimmers how to maintain momentum during transitions and optimize turns, including the unique backstroke-to-breaststroke turn. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced swimmer, practicing the 100 IM drill improves overall stroke mechanics and prepares athletes for medley races at any level.