Simple Swimming Strokes

Check Out These Common Swimming Strokes

While many of us enjoy lounging on a pool float with our sunglasses on and a drink in our hand, some days, knowing how to swim efficiently comes in handy. Whether you’ve fallen into a lake and need to get back to the boat or just want to show off your skills in the pool, some simple swimming strokes are important to know. Let’s check them out.

4 Competitive Swim Strokes

A swimming stroke is considered competitive when it meets certain criteria that allow it to be used in official swimming competitions. Here are the key factors that make these four types of competitive strokes:

• Regulation Compliance: Competitive strokes must adhere to the rules set by governing bodies like World Aquatics. These rules define the specific techniques and movements allowed for each stroke.
• Efficiency and Speed: Competitive swim strokes are designed to maximize speed and efficiency in the water. This involves minimizing drag, optimizing propulsion, and maintaining a streamlined body position.
• Distinct Technique: Each competitive stroke has a unique technique that distinguishes it from others. This includes specific arm and leg movements, breathing patterns, and body positions.
• Consistency: Competitive strokes must be performed consistently throughout a race. Swimmers train to maintain their technique and speed over various distances.
• Versatility in Events: Competitive strokes are used in a variety of events, including individual races, medleys, and relays. This versatility requires swimmers to master multiple strokes.
• Judging Criteria: In competitions, strokes are judged based on adherence to technique and rules. Any deviation can result in disqualification, emphasizing the importance of precision.

These factors ensure that competitive strokes are not only effective for racing but also standardized for fair competition.

Breaststroke

This is one of the most popular swimming techniques. To begin, you extend your arms above your head, keeping them in line with your body as horizontally as possible. You then pull both arms back towards you beneath the water, moving them out away from your body as they get closer. Slowly bend your arms as they start moving towards you until they reach your chest.

Then, pull your arms in towards your body and push them forward above your head, extending your arms and repeating the process. The entire time you’re doing the breaststroke, be sure that you are kicking or fluttering your legs beneath the water to help propel you forward.

Butterfly Swim Stroke

Next up is the butterfly stroke. You start by, once again, placing your arms above your head, extended, so they are in line with your body. Then, while they are underwater, you push your arms down towards your sides. Be sure not to bend them. Keep them straight until they are at your sides.

Then, lifting your arms out of the water, glide them back up where they were when you began, above your head as though you were doing a jumping-jack. Once you’ve reached this step, you’re ready to repeat the process. Again, be sure to move your legs while you are using this technique.

Backstroke

Now, for this technique, you begin by positioning yourself on your back with one arm at your side and the other held up above your head in a horizontal position. Then, keeping your body in line, you move the arm above your head under the water to rest at your side while simultaneously moving the other arm that was resting at your side up out of the water so that it is above your head. Continuously repeat this process while kicking your legs beneath the surface to perfect the swim stroke.

Freestyle Swim Stroke

Lastly, we have the freestyle stroke. This stroke is similar to the backstroke, only this time you are on your stomach. With one arm extended in front of you and the other at your side, you kick off and move the extended arm underwater, back towards you. As that arm is moving, your other arm should be extended out, lifting out of the water.

As you move the arm that is above water, your face should be turned in that direction to breathe. Once that arm has gone beneath the water and your other arm exits the water, your face should be facing that direction.

Get a Pool to Practice Your Leg Movements and Swim Strokes at Aqua Leisure Pools and Spas

Now, these strokes may seem confusing, but once you’ve practiced them, we’re sure you’ll be a pro. And what better place to practice than a swimming pool from Aqua Leisure Pools and Spas? Contact us today for more information.

Posted by Aqua Leisure Pools & Spas in Pools