This is the first in a series of 'Stimulus Articles' on different important questions about swimming, designed to provoke discussion. The questions in this series are: What is the influence of breathing pattern, especially early in a race? What can we do to teach swimmers to not only breathe enough, but to also breathe fully and in a relaxed enough manner each time he / she exchanges air? What is the role of the legs in race strategy? What can we do on a consistent basis that lets us teach effective race management so that come race time, our athletes can trust themselves and their preparation and not think?