Swimming Strokes Quiz

Swimming Strokes

• Swimming a defined distance as quickly as possible depends on four stroke categories: Medley, Individual Medley, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Freestyle.

Backstroke

• Swimmer stays on their back using overhand and flutter kick.
• Swimmer may stay underwater for 15 meters.

Breaststroke

• Arms move forward from breast at the surface, then pull backward under the water.
• Frog kick (simultaneous thrust of legs) is used.
• Wall must be touched with both hands.
• Body position: lie face down, keep body flat and in line with the water surface.
• Arm movement: catch, pull, and recover.
• Breathing technique: lift head above water after pulling to breathe.
• Leg action: leg straight, bend knee (heel towards bottom), circular motion outwards.
• Learn to glide: after kick, body should be in a streamlined position with arms and legs straightened.

Butterfly

• Simultaneous overhand arm motion with dolphin kick.
• Most demanding stroke.
• Wall must be touched with both hands before making an open turn, pushing off with feet.
• Body position: lie face down, keep body flat and in line with the water surface.
• Arm movement: catch, pull, and recover.
• Breathing technique: during start of recovery phase when arms are starting to come out of water.
• Leg action: small kick and big kick.
• Move body in a wave-like fashion: body should have undulating s-shape as you swim.

Freestyle

• Legs perform a kicking action while arms are alternately brought over head and into the water.
• Somersault may be used after backstroke/crawl stroke, only touching the wall with their feet.
• Head position: look forward with your hairline cresting the surface of the water (slightly sticking out, just below the surface).
• Reach forward: extend arm to its maximum length.
• Body rotation: pivot body with each stroke.
• Hourglass pull: practice an S-shape stroke instead of a straight line.
• Finish the stroke: arms should fully extend behind you, with thumbs grazing the side of your thighs.