Physical Education

Unit - 7

7.2.1.Breaststroke
The breaststroke is the oldest known swimming stroke, it involves exquisite timing, and in fact, you can be disqualified from competition if you miss even one stroke. Breaststroke is the most popular style for swimming recreationally and for fitness, and it is the slowest official stroke used in competitive swimming. The stroke involves form that causes your body to bob up and down as you glide forward through the water. This is a difficult stroke and not one to choose if you're just learning how to swim. The basics are that your arms pull, you breathe, you kick (arms alternate with the kick), and you glide. Here are details.

The leg kick:

• Bring the knees to chest
• Thrust the legs backward and straight
• Snap the legs together to push the water and propel you forward (frog kick).

The arm stroke:

• Start with the arms overhead
• Pull on the water, and bring arms toward the chest
• Keep the hands cupped
• Return arms to starting position

The breathing:

• Breathe every time you stroke with your arms.

The Breaststroke is performed by leaning on the chest with the arms breaking the water slightly and the legs staying under water constantly. The body should be in line with the water surface and the shoulders and hips flat in the water. The arms are moved in a long circular motion and the legs are kicked in a movement similar to a frog’s kick, which is what slows the swimmer down. Breaststroke is difficult to perfect because, unlike front crawl or back stroke, the legs and arms are used in synchronisation. Professional swimmers will use the abdominal muscles and hips as well as the legs to add extra power to the kick.