What is the Backstroke?

Series Summary

Whether it is in a pool in the backyard or a pool in the Olympics, a river in the woods or the endless oceans, swimming is one of the world's favorite past times. Not only is swimming a great recreational hobby, it is one of the most efficient ways to exercise, both cardiovascular and muscle strengthening. Needless to say, with all of the benefits of swimming, it is a good idea to learn how to swim and the freestyle stroke is a great way to begin.

In this free video series, watch as competitive swimmer Phillip Toriello teaches how to swim the backstroke. Learn how to use your arms and legs, how to breath, and how to start and finish a race. Get breathing and swimming drills to help improve your swimming technique and ability. Get started making a difference in your health with the help of these step by step swimming lessons from the experts at ExpertVillage.

Video Transcript

"PHILLIP TORIELLO: Hello and welcome to Expert Village, I'm Phillip Toriello from the Avila Bay Athletic Club. Backstroke. Backstroke is basically one of the easier stokes and is generally known as the inverted freestyle stroke. There are many similarities to the freestyle, but instead, you're laying on your back, your head is up, your bellybutton is as high as it can be and your hips were up on top of the water. The biggest advantage to the backstroke that most swimmers find is that you have the ease of breathing. Your face is never in the water. There's not a matter of timing as far as when you can or cannot breathe. So, you have that free ability, that free access. Some of the competitive backstroke events include the 50, the 100 and the 200 individual races. Those are basically the two lengths of the pool, four lengths of the pool, the eight lengths of the pool. All backstroke, all individually done. The other competitive events include the 100 medley, the 200 medley, the 400 individual medley and the 4 x 100 medley race."