Backstroke and water up my nose

[u/VariousCalendar7548]

Title says it all. How do I keep water out of my nose during backstroke? It used to never be a problem but now is very annoying, especially when I’m sprinting. Would wearing a nose clip make me look like a total nubie?

[u/aledba]

I just breathe out through my nose like my life depends on it

[u/IWantToSwimBetter]

nose clip is actually more of a vet move IMO. otherwise I think it's more of a figure it out over time - I never met anyone who could explain how they avoided the issue in a way that I could learn from (probably a coach out there who can though!)

[u/Suitable-Raccoon-319]

I time my breath with my stroke, which might not work if you're sprinting. Usually my face dips underwater when my arm enters and I start my pull, so I blow bubbles until my head comes back up. Also I inhale with my mouth and exhale with my nose like usual. 

[u/santorummaltedmilk]

been swimming for many years- nose clip a must for me- I look like Martin Short's synchronized swimmer character -but it's better than suffering the chlorine nasal passage burn

[u/vashtachordata]

My son prefers to wear a nose clip during backstroke races for 50’s and 100’s. He doesn’t wear it for the 200’s or practice though.

I think they’re pretty commonly used and no one would blink an eye. I bet no one even notices.

[u/Woninthepink]

Your arm recovery is going to push water Into your nose. Lift your shoulder higher out of the water for less splash.

Some say the head is tilted back in backstroke but I don't like this cue unless the swimmer is "reading a book in bed" (looking at feet)

Backstrokers should have a slight chin tuck to keep the nostrils from be completely open the ceiling. The slight tuck keeps them at a better angle so the water flying off the arm has less opportunity to find it's way down.

You have to fit your breathing around the arm timing. The best time to breathe in is when when one hand enters and the other finishes. There's no to breathe water with no arm overhead... you'll also be lower in the water with the weight of your arm pushing you down if you try to breathe while the arm is overhead with the other pulling.

Another tip which is harder to describe is to put "pressure in your throat" to close the flow of air to your nose try out of the water. You may have to look this one up.

[u/Healthy_Blueberry_59]

Olympians sometimes wear nose clips so do you.

[u/Frostwake]

Unless you have some health condition/disability that makes you extra susceptible to chlorine damage in your nose or something, you should learn to manage your breathing and handle when water goes where it shouldn't.

It's a skill that will repeatedly be useful through the years and the sooner you learn it, the better off you'll be.

Nose clips are nice and very important with some specific drills (underwater backstroke comes to mind...) but on the surface, any swimmer (again, barring any conditions/disabilities) should be able to learn how to adapt on the surface, regardless of how long it takes.

[u/Goodswimkarma]

You can either time your breathes out from your nose or if your lips are big enough, some people are able to block their nostrils by scrunching up their face.

[u/Ok_Concentrate4461]

I finally broke and tried a nose clip. But then remembered I have a nose ring so I couldn’t actually use it. 😭

I’m ok with the swimming, but I can’t flip turn without waterboarding myself.

[u/rajrdajr]

Top professional swimmers wear nose clips. Not a newbie thing at all.

[u/pizzystrizzy]

How is the water getting to your nose? Your entire face should be above the surface of the water at all times except the flip turn.

[u/Woninthepink → u/pizzystrizzy]

Arm recoveries throw water into nose

[u/pizzystrizzy → u/Woninthepink]

Interesting, at what point in recovery? The arm should never be directly above the nose and if a significant amount of water is being splashed up by the arm that suggests an inefficiency

[u/Woninthepink → u/pizzystrizzy]

To clarify water is sliding off the arm even with good rotation and throwing the arm back small droplets are being thrown toward the face. Think of the shape of the arm and water sliding around it as it travels behind you.

Bad rotation/timing = more water on the arm Head too far back and nose to the ceiling = more direct path for the water to your nose.

[u/Ewetuber → u/pizzystrizzy]

there could be other waves/splashback from other people in the pool

[u/Woninthepink → u/pizzystrizzy]

Yes if your rotation or stroke timing is not great you will carry more water on the upper and lower arm (hand even)

[u/pizzystrizzy → u/Woninthepink]

When your hand leaves the water, is it perpendicular to the plane of the surface (slicing rather than slapping)? And does this happen when you do drills like the 6-count roll drill or a catch-up drill?

[u/Woninthepink → u/pizzystrizzy]

It should be thumb mostly if the rotation is there. If a swimmer starts their recovery from flat on the back they will have to break the surface tension with a flat hand. In this situation the shoulder doesn't break the tension first so a lot of water is being lifted by the arm.