Types of Competitive Swimming Strokes You Must Try
Swimming is an art that can't be learned in a day. It has to be taught by a professional or swimming coach and has to be mastered with patience, consistency & time. However, when you've learned basic swimming, and are loving it, it's time to elevate the techniques and enhance your skills.
There are a few swimming strokes (like elementary backstroke) that, once mastered, are challenging, fun and stamina boosting at one fell swoop.
Whether you're an amateur or a professional swimmer, you can learn these strokes & use them as drowning prevention, skill development, or for winning a professional swimming contest.
Let's know the top 4 types of strokes one can learn from swimming programs like Learn To Swim Program, and enhance confidence in the water.
1) Backstroke: Also known as Back Crawl, Backstroke is one of the main strokes that are used in competitive swimming events by FINA. To perform elementary backstroke, the swimmer has to lay flat on the back; arms stretched with extended fingertips, and legs extended backward. Breathing is simpler than in other strokes, as the mouth and nose are above water. Search for backstroke flip turn video to see how it works.
2) Breaststroke: It includes glide or streamlines portion. It is probably the slowest of the four -as no action contributes to forward propulsion. Extra diligence is required to minimize the resistance throughout the stroke.
3) Side Stroke: Sidestroke evolved in ancient times when the swimmers found it painful to swim breaststroke with their heads above the water. So now you know that in sidestroke, the swimmer lies on one's side with asymmetric arm and leg motion. It's a lifesaving technique that's very helpful when used for long-distance swimming. Sidestroke also allows the swimmer to increase endurance, and the change of sides helps limbs to recover.
4) Butterfly Stroke: It is probably the hardest type of stroke that also needs much practice to be mastered. To swim butterfly stroke like a pro will require the specific training, strength, technique & rhythm. Proper execution of the butterfly stroke is the hallmark for the real competitive swimmer.
The Bottom Line
To master these strokes like butterfly or elementary backstroke, you will need proper practicing, have patience, start slow & stay steady. Also, one should do it under the supervision of a swimming coach.
It's always better to join a swim school like Learn To Swim Program, where experienced coaches like Dr. Pete Andersen teach you to swim with safety, guidance & time-proven strategies.
