Swimming: Breaststroke Technique

If I happen to check the number of people who love swimming, I am sure there will be an infinite belonging to this category. Although if asked how many know proper swimming techniques, then I guess, not many people will turn up. What I want to emphasize is, even though many of us are not thorough professionals in swimming, we all love going into water and trying our hand at swimming, don't we? For many years now, swimming has been perceived as a popular and relaxing form of exercise since it benefits the whole body. Learning how to swim can be as much of fun as being in water, so let's take a look at the popular swimming breaststroke technique.

Swimming Breaststroke Technique

Breaststroke is the most popular swimming stroke mainly because it helps beginners with its easy technique and thus helps gain confidence to swim. Breaststroke swimming allows the swimmer to take breaths after each stroke cycle which is what makes it the most popular and the most challenging stroke when it comes to competitions. When you actually go through the steps, you will realize that it's a very easy swimming technique for beginners (Check out the adjacent picture for better understanding).

Step #1
Stand upright and then bend like a frog so that your legs come right up to your chest. Join your hands as in prayer by holding your palms together.

Step #2
By applying a jerk, jump in the water the same way a frog does (frog kick). Immediately, make your body streamlined by pointing your toes behind and extending your hands ahead.

Step #3
After extending your hands forward, turn your palms outwards and pull your hands behind so that a circular motion is created and get back your hands again in the previous prayer position.

Step #4
While doing the step 3, pull your head above the water level using the thrust to take a breath. Glide forward and repeat all the above steps to repeat the stroke cycle.

Swimming Breaststroke Rules

Now that you know the swimming technique breaststroke, it's time to see the swimming rules associated with it. These rules are an important part of swimming competitions especially in events like the Olympics wherein the swimmers might be disqualified if they cheat or go wrong in the technique.

Rule #1
This rule requires the swimmers to do the action in a concurrent and in-a-flow manner along a horizontal level.

Rule #2
The 2 main action movements in a breaststroke technique include the arm movement and the leg jerk which are in alternation with each other and not simultaneous.

Rule #3
While doing the arm movements, it's a necessity that the elbows should be under water, exceptions being at the start and after a turn (when in case of swimming race).

Rule #4
The circular motion of the arms should be such that the hands shouldn't go beyond the hips.

Swimming Breaststroke Drills

So here's a list of the breaststroke drills which are smaller counterparts or variations in the basic technique for betterment of the arm and leg movements.

• Two Count Glide Drill
• Two Kick/One Pull Drill
• Two Pull/One Kick Drill
• One Pull/Dolphin Kick/One Kick Drill
• Opposite Hand/Foot Drill

I hope you have understood what is swimming breaststroke technique. Breaststroke is easy if done with correct rhythm and timing. Proper execution of the steps and lot of practice will make you a pro in this stroke as well as help reap the swimming health benefits. Enjoy swimming!