When we zoom in on Bruno’s head, the first thing we notice is the QUICKNESS of his breath.  Taking a quick breath is highly advantageous for ultra-high speed swimming.  A sprinter’s turnover is so high that they MUST take a quick breath to maintain their rhythm and cadence.  So, to prepare for high-speed swimming, Bruno practices taking a quick breath even when swimming at slow speeds.  When he picks up his rate, the quick breath will be instinct.  

For Bruno, taking a quick breath is not just about turning the head quickly TO air.  It’s also about RETURNING the head quickly to its eyes-down position.   Again, he practices this quick TURN and RE-TURN at slow speeds, so that the quickness will be there at race pace. 

At slow speeds, Bruno’s head rises a bit into the breath, but this will mostly disappear at race pace.  The important thing to notice is not the rise, but the fact that Bruno has what’s known as a “delayed” breath.  Usually, this is something a coach might try to fix.  But in Bruno’s case the delayed breath, because it’s so quick, is an asset.  The delay allows him to maintain a horizontal body line for an additional fraction of a second.  And the quickness of the breath will enable him to get back quickly to the horizontal body line.  It helps him bring the recovering arm into extension just a bit quicker and more completely.   

When he’s not breathing, Bruno works on keeping the head in a comfortable position that stabilizes his body and helps him lock into full extension and an immediate catch.

One last thing to notice is Bruno’s continuous exhale.  This means he will be ready for a quick INHALE when the head is turned.  

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Freestyle - Head and Breath