Breaststroke for Beginners

In today's video, I'll be reviewing breaststroke. First, we'll look at the kick, then the arms, review the timing, and go over some drills.

Breaststroke Kick

Unlike freestyle or backstroke which utilize a pointed toe and an up and down motion, in breaststroke we pull the toes back and make a V. Watch as I'm bending, make that V, out and together. Back, turn the toes out, bring them back and together.

Breaststroke Arms

Unlike the other competitive strokes, the arms on breaststroke do not finish past the hip except for one stroke on the pullout. In fact, the hands don't back any farther than the chin. Watch as I demonstrate the arms with these markers. I'm pushing back and down, elbows high. Lean in on the glide. Shoot forward. From the swimmer's perspective, the shape of the stroke looks like and upside-down heart. The arrows indicate the direction the hands are pulling.

Stroke Timing
— Pull, Breath, Kick, Glide
As we put it together with the kick, the hands start first. Pull, breath, kick, glide. The hands don't come back any farther than the chin.