How to Help Someone Practice the Breaststroke

The breaststroke is one of the most difficult swim strokes to learn. This is ironic because one use for this stroke is relaxation. It is relaxing, once the technique is learned. Most beginning swimmers benefit from having a person to help them learn the stroke and practice.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Ask the person to sit on the side of the pool with his legs slightly apart and stretched out in front. Have him bend his knees toward his body. Then, he should move his legs out in a circular motion and bring them back in the original position. The leg action is a whip kick, with the legs snapping out and back.

2. Move to the pool. Have the person hang on the edge of the pool and practice the breaststroke kick. The person's legs should not break the water.

3. Demonstrate the arm stroke for breaststroke. The elbows stay up as the forearms sweep out and around as if they were inside a bowl. Then the upper arms snap back together when the hands are coming in at the bottom of the bowl.

4. Allow the person you are teaching to watch you swim the breaststroke for a few laps. By watching you, the person will learn how to move the arms, legs and head.

5. Watch the person practice for a few laps. Make corrections and have them try again. Soon the person will be doing an excellent breaststroke.

Tips & Warnings

• The breaststroke calls for strength and flexibility in the legs and ankles. Any exercises that build on these areas will be helpful for a person who is learning the breaststroke.

Who Can Help:

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