About Swimming Strokes

Swimming strokes refer to the actual movements of the arms and legs in a repetitive motion in the pool. The strokes aren't only about the body movements, but also about the ability to breathe properly throughout the strokes. The key to perfect swimming strokes is to perform all movements in tandem. Swimming requires great stamina and often, the strokes aren't perfected until a swimmer reaches optimum conditioning.

Significance

There are many types of swim strokes. Simply getting into a pool and propelling yourself through the water actually constitutes a "stroke." Have you ever watched a pet do the "doggie paddle?" That is a stroke. Little kids usually learn this stroke as a rudimentary way to move through the water. Then they graduate to a more refined stroke, such as freestyle. As the strokes are learned, the technique of a swimmer tends to change. The swimming stroke is perfected to a point where the swimmer is using both arms and legs efficiently to move through the water. Speed comes from the optimum positioning of the body, strengthening of the legs for kicking, and breathing properly. All of these components increase speed and reduce the resistance that the body has against the water.

Considerations

There are four basic strokes that are used in competitive swimming. These include freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke and backstroke. By no means are these the only swimming strokes. Dog paddle is included, as is another stroke called sidestroke. This article explores only the main competitive strokes used in swimming meets around the world. Butterfly, breaststroke, freestyle and backstroke are also the strokes performed in the Olympics.

Features

A true swimming stroke involves certain movements. A swimmer uses both the arms and legs to complete a stroke. In addition, the swimmer needs to incorporate breathing into the stroke. Competitive swimmers are required to perform certain types of kicks for each stroke and must not stop the stroke during a race. This can result in a disqualification of the race.

Types

Freestyle is usually the first stroke learned. The swimmer is on her stomach in the water and flutter kicks (alternate kicking of the feet) while alternately wind-milling her arms. This arm motion propels the swimmer forward by scooping out the water in a digging motion. Beginner swimmers tend to breathe with every stroke, but more efficient and skilled swimmers breathe every other stroke.

Backstroke is the reverse of freestyle. A swimmer floats on the water and executes a flutter kick while wind milling the arms backward through the water. Breathing evenly and regularly during this stroke is a concern for many swimmers, since beginners tend to hold their breath to the point of exhaustion. Head placement is very important during backstroke. The swimmer must lay his head back, rather than tucking his chin toward the chest. Competitive backstroke swimmers use the side of the pool for reference and sometimes, flags are strung across the pool for a point of reference.

Breaststroke requires more swimming skill. A swimmer is on her stomachs for this stroke. To begin, the swimmer goes under the water with arms extended (called the glide) and surfaces with an arm movement that pushes the water to the side. Each arm performs a half circle at the same time through the water. At the same time, the legs are performing a frog kick. The legs are drawn close the body and then extended out like a frog to promote forward movement through the water. Breaths are take every other stroke when the head breaks the water. The key to the best breaststrokes is the glide. Optimizing the time underwater increases speed for the breaststroke.

Butterfly is one of the hardest strokes to learn in swimming. More often than not, a swimmer watches others perform the stroke and then attempts it on his own. The butterfly involves lifting the arms completely out of the water in an arcing motion and then returning the arms to the water in a digging motion. At the same time, the legs are performing a series of two dolphins kicks (two-footed kick), one small and one big to propel out of the water for a breath. The movement of the torso takes on an undulating motion. Breaths are taken when the arms come out of the water with alternating strokes.

Misconceptions

It is extremely difficult to teach a swimmer to breathe. However, this very basic skill makes all the difference in speed and endurance. When a swimmer performs a stroke, he should be blowing air out the nose when his head is below the water. If a swimmer does this, he will be able to take a full breath when he comes up during a stroke. Holding the breath underwater will have a swimmer gasping and exhausted in no time.