Swimming Strokes and Other Information

SIDESTROKE

-it is a recovery or resting stroke -it has a glide -it is the only stroke performed on the side of the body -it uses a scissors kick -one ear should be in the water -the lead arm is closest to the bottom of the pool-the trail arm is closest to the surface -arms and legs shouldn't break the water's surface -the top leg kicks forward-the bottom leg kicks backwards. the legs never cross during the scissor "snip" -it is a asymmetrical stroke

COMBINED STROKE ON THE BACK

-it uses the "chicken, airplane, pickle" or "tickle, t, touch" arm movement -uses a flutterkick, starting from the hip - it is easy for most beginners to learn

ELEMENTARY BACKSTROKE

-is a recovery or resting stroke -head and ears are in the water, but the face is out -it uses a whip kick -it uses the "chicken, airplane, pickle" or "tickle, t, touch" arm movement -it has a glide -it is a symmetrical stroke

FRONT CRAWL (also commonly called FREESTYLE)

-is normally considered the fastest competitive stroke -arms move in opposite with each other -the index finger of the hand enters the water first -arm recovery occurs when the hand is out of the water -legs use a flutter kick from the hip -body position is horizontal at the surface of the water -breathing occurs to the side during arm recovery Please note: Technically the freestyle could be considered the "swimmer's choice" stroke. However, most competitive swimmers normally choose the front crawl as their freestyle.

BACK CRAWL (also commonly called the BACK STROKE)

-is the only competitive stroke swam on the back -arms move opposite with each other -thumb exits water first-pinkie enters the water first -recovery happens when arm is extended high in the air -legs use a flutter kick from the hip -body position is horizontal at the surface of the water -heads and ears are in the water, but the face is out

BUTTERFLY

-it evolved out of the breaststroke -both arms recover above the water at the same time -most swimmers breathe forward, although breathing to the side can occyur -it uses a dolphin kick, which is more like a body movement -it is a symmetrical stroke

What is a safe diving minimum requirement from the pool deck?

9 feet

What does each stroke have?

Catch: grabbing the water Mid-pull: middle of the pull finish: end of the pull recovery: going back up to catch

What type of activity is swimming?

Swimming is a lifetime activity. Other lifetime activities include golf, bowling, walking, etc.

What can help with strengthening legs and can help with kick improvement of certain strokes?

fins

What helps with stroke development?

pull buoys, normally by providing leg support so the swimmer can concentrate on the pull

BREASTSTROKE

-oldest known swimming stroke -commonly the slowest competitive stroke due to the glide in it -only competitive stroke where the recovery happens underwater -the stroke is symmetrical -has a pull, breathe, kick, glide sequence -it uses a whip kick -the kick generates more power than the arms