How to Swim Freestyle in 3 Simple Steps Freestyle swimming doesn’t have to be complicated! Here’s a beginner-friendly guide to learning freestyle, step by step: Step 1: Start with the Kick Flutter Kick: Keep your legs straight but relaxed, and kick from your hips (not your knees). Use small, quick kicks to propel yourself forward. Practice with a Kickboard: Hold a kickboard out in front of you and focus on keeping your body horizontal while kicking. Step 2: Add the Arm Pull Reach and Pull: Exten