Breaststroke is one of the four basic swimming techniques. The breaststroke is used both in professional sports and in amateur swimming, being the softest and most energy-saving technique that allows you to swim long distances.
Breaststroke is the only swimming style that allows the arms to be completely submerged during movement, which greatly reduces the swimmer's speed, but at the same time greatly conserves body resources. Breaststroke can swim a fairly long distance without getting tired in the same way as swimmers get tired when using a crawl or butterfly. Breaststroke is also used by military swimmers, hunters, and underwater fishing enthusiasts - for silent movement. In addition, this swimming style is the only one possible for scuba diving (diving and freediving). Of course, it is best to learn the correct breaststroke technique in the pool under the supervision of an experienced trainer, but some tips and tricks can be given in theory as well.
Hand and foot work
Technically, breaststroke is considered a difficult style as the swimmer needs to synchronize body movements. First, there is a symmetrical stroke with the hands, then - a simultaneous strong push with both legs, while the swimmer also controls the work of the lungs. In breaststroke, unlike all other types of swimming, legs play the main role, not arms. In fact, hand movements only prepare the body and reduce the resistance of the water mass. After that, the legs from the “frog” position make a powerful push, moving the body into the “torpedo” position (arms and legs together, the body is stretched “in line” for maximum sliding in the water) and the body itself moves in the water by inertia. During the slide, the muscles of the body have time to rest.
Breath control
The movement of the head during breaststroke should follow the movement of the body. It is wrong when the head is constantly above the water (vertical position) - this can have a bad effect on the spine and cervical spine, moreover, in this position, the proper amount of oxygen does not get into the lungs. The following sequence of actions is correct: a stroke with your hands creates support for raising the body, a deep breath is taken with the mouth, then the face and neck are immersed in water, where air is exhaled during movement both by the mouth and by the nose.
Tips for amateur swimmers
To speed up the swimming process, amateurs swimming solely for their own pleasure can change their legs to freestyle (alternating vertical movement). In addition to speeding up movement, this changes the working muscle group and gives tired muscles time to rest. In professional swimming, unfortunately, this option is prohibited (in competitions, only 1 undulating movement can be allowed during the first stroke after the start or after the turn).
