How to Swim the Breaststroke

This can be a relaxing and gliding swim stroke, or it can be a quick, intense motion if you're racing. It's accomplished by a strong pull, froglike kick and then a long glide. Practice these techniques to improve your breast stroke or to learn it properly for the first time.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Swimming Trunks
• Swimsuits
• Swimming Caps
• Swimming Ear Plugs
• Swimming Goggles
• Swimming Nose Clip
• Swimsuits

1. Keep your legs close together and pull them up toward your chest. At the same time, hold your palms together and up against your chest, as if in prayer.

2. Kick out and apart with your legs, and then quickly squeeze them together. Try to imitate the way a frog kicks. After the kick, streamline your body by pointing your toes and extending your arms completely.

3. 

   Glide for a moment with your arms fully extended, then turn your palms outward and pull with both hands out and around in a circular motion, so that they end up in their original position, together against your chest.

4. 

   Use the thrust of the pull with your hands to pull your head up and out of the water to take a breath. As your head goes back down, your arms should be just beginning to plunge forward with the next kick.

5. 

   Glide for a moment, and then repeat the entire motion.

Tips & Warnings

• The glide is the most important aspect of this stroke. After the big kick, streamline your entire body as much as possible. Your shoulders should be almost against your ears. Glide, and then pull your head up and forward with your stroke.
• If you have any condition that would impair or limit your ability to engage in physical activity, please consult a physician before attempting this activity. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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[roguewolf74]

on 5/29/2009 i wish it was that easy. i'm taking a lifeguard class at the local y, and i can't do this stroke to save my life, let alone anyone else's.

[swimmaster]

on 3/1/2009 i like breasts......i mean breast stroke

[Swimteacher]

on 6/25/2007 Doing the kick properly is the most important part of the breaststroke. When the head is up, let the hips drop. This keeps your knees from pushing water the wrong direction. Bring your feet up, causing your knees to bend at no more than a 45 degree angle. At the peak, pull your ankles up as you would if you were wearing heelies. As you whip your feet around in a circle, keep your knees closer together than your feet at all times until your legs are straight again. Practicing this with a noodle under your armpits is best as it keeps your upper body in the correct postion without having to work your arms too hard.

on 7/30/2006 It's is very important to finish your kick when you swim. Glide, too. But it really helps you go further and faster if you finish your glide. I recall my coach making me do 20 push-ups because I didn't do this, and the breaststroke soon became my best stroke!

on 7/27/2006 When you do the pull-out, remember to incorporate one powerful dolphin kick with the pull. The rules (NCAA/USA/FINA)changed recently, and this makes for a much faster pull-out.