Freestyle
Freestyle is a stroke in which the swimmer takes alternating strokes over the surface of the water, along with an alternating flutter kick.
It is the least resistant stroke.
It is the least resistant stroke.
Butterfly
Butterfly comprises simultaneous movement of the arms over the surface of the water, and an undulating dolphin kick. Swimmers must keep their feet together in the kick. Butterfly is also the newest stroke, developed in the 1950s and becoming an official Olympic stroke in 1956.
It is the second least resistant stroke, after freestyle.
It is the second least resistant stroke, after freestyle.
Backstroke
Backstroke is a stroke that consists of alternating movement of the arms with a flutter kick, all on your back. Swimmers must start and finish on their back.
Backstroke is the third least resistant stroke.
Backstroke is the third least resistant stroke.
Breaststroke
Breaststroke features simultaneous motion of the arms and a somewhat circular kick, similar to that of a frog. The hands are pressed out from in front of the chest and come out onto or under the surface of the water. Breaststroke is the oldest stroke, its use dating back hundreds of years.
Breaststroke is the most resistant and most inefficient stroke.
Breaststroke is the most resistant and most inefficient stroke.