Link to MamasHealth.com
MamasHealth.com Home
Swimming Pages

Avoid overtraining
Avoid sunburn
Lap swimming etiquette
Swim gear guide
Swimming benefits
Swim safety for children Swim strokes
Swim tips
Water exercises
Water safety
Water tools

Swimstroke demonstrations

Email Mama

High elbow catch
Power stroke

Tone your abs




types of swimming strokes

What is a Swimming Stroke?

A swimming stroke is a method of moving the arms and legs to push against the water and propel the swimmer forward.

Swimming strokes should create the least possible water resistance. When swimming, there should be a minimum of splashing so that forward motion is smooth and not jerky.

Types of Swimming Strokes

  • Butterfly
    • The most difficult and exhausting stroke.
    • The body is in a prone position.
    • Involves the dolphin kick with a windmill-like movement of both arms in unison.
    • When swimming competitively, the swimmer must not swim underwater. The only time a swimmer can swim underwater is the first stroke after the start and each turn.
  • High Elbow Catch
  • Breast Stroke
    • The body is in a prone position.
    • Involves frog kicking alternates with a simultaneous movement of the arms from a point in front of the head to shoulder level.
    • When swimming competitively, the swimmer's head must be kept above the surface of the water at all times.
  • Power stroke
  • Crawl
    • Front or Back
      • The body is in a prone position.
      • Involves alternating overarm strokes and the flutter kick.
      • The head remains in the water, the face alternating from side to side.
  • Sidestroke
    • Involves a forward underwater stroke with the body on one side and a scissors kick.
  • Trudgen
    • Named after an English swimmer whose speed made it famous.
    • Involves alternate overarm strokes in a prone position, with a scissors kick and the head remains on one side.
  • Freestyle
    • Swimming where any stroke is used.
    • When swimming competitively, only 15 meters can be spent underwater from the start or from each turn.
  • Backstroke
    • Involves alternate over-the-head arm strokes and a flutter kick in a supine position.
    • When swimming competitively, only 15 meters can be spent underwater from the start or from each turn.
  • Dog Paddle
    • One of the most simple strokes.
    • Involves reaching forward with the arms underwater and using a modified flutter kick.


Advertise on MamasHealth.com

 

Hot Topics:

Domestic Violence: A pre-existing condition?

Serena: The wanna be vegetarian

Personal Story: How I recovered from my Eating Disorder

Mama wants to help: Food Bank programs and shelter assistance

Lucy Goes Green: Talk dirty to me

How to avoid Swine Flu

What no one will tell you about tummy tuck surgery

Mama's favorite item of the week: Trees for the Future

Foods for weight loss

Win a Gift Bag filled with Goodies from Stonyfield

Information obtained from MamasHealth.com™ should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner, nor should it be inferred as such. Always check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about a specific condition.

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use.
Contact us: PO Box 2170, Pasadena, CA 91102-2170

©2000 - 2009 MamasHealth, Inc.™. All rights reserved

Link to MamasHealth.com