Breaststroke

Unlike other competitive strokes, breaststroke derives great propulsive effect from the strong thrust of the legs.

Body Position

For most effective streamlining a near horizontal position is desirable. However, to permit the leg action under breaststroke to take place beneath the surface of the water, some adjustment has to be made to this position. As a consequence proficient swimmers adopt a position, which is slightly inclined from the head to the feet.

In order to maintain, as streamlined position as possible, as the arm pull takes place the legs should remain in trailing, extended position. Similarly, when the powerful backward pull is propelling the body forward, the arms should be fully extended and the head kept as steady and as low as possible.

Leg action

There are two types of leg action:

a) a narrow whip-like action used by most competitive swimmers and quite naturally adopted by some beginners.

b) a wide wedge-type action used mainly by recreational swimmers and some beginners.

c) Whip kick

Recovery

From the extended position the heels are drawn up towards the seat and are about hip width apart. The position of the knees may vary from being fairly close together to a position just outside the body width. The angle between the upper leg and trunk when viewed from the side varies from 110 to 140 if the angle is greater than this the propulsive effect is reduced and if it is less, resistance is increased. At this stage the lower legs are in a near perpendicular position with the feet turned outward and the soles of the feet facing uppermost and just below the water surface

Propulsion

The feet are driven mainly backwards following a curved pathway as they move towards each other. This is a smooth, powerful and accelerating movement. The drive is first made with the inner sides of the feet and lower legs, using a whip-like action as they thrust vigorously against the water. The broad's paddles of the foot fix on the water, enabling the body to be driven as the legs are extended.