Breaststroke

definition

The breaststroke is one of the oldest types of swimming and is used particularly often in the national area. Nevertheless, it is one of the most difficult techniques in swimming. The frequent use in the national area is linked to the DLRG and the associated rescue ideas.

According to the international competition regulations, it was initially allowed to bring the arms forward over the water, but this developed into butterfly swimming. Today the technique of breaststroke swimming with the undulation technique (wave movement), the overlap technique (no sliding phase) and the sliding technique (especially in the 200m range) is used. In the international competitions, distances of 50 to 200 meters are covered.

Competition regulation

• The body must be kept in the chest position during the entire distance.

• After the start and each turn, the body is allowed to make one full arm pull and one full leg movement.

• With each cycle, part of the head has to break through the surface of the water.

• The movements of the arms and legs must be carried out simultaneously and in a horizontal plane.

• Keep your elbows under the water during the arm extension phase.

• The hands must not be brought back further than the hips.

• Both hands must be used at every turn and at the target.

Motion description

Arm movement:

The modern breaststroke is characterized by an undulating movement (Undulation technique) out. Here the body becomes similar to the Dolphin swimming with the successive arm and leg movement brought into a wave shape.

The arms are stretched out into the water. You will be continuous away turned. The elbows remain standing and the elbow angle is increasingly closed so that the greatest possible and most efficient way to work against the abutment can be created. The fuselage is following at this point top / back directed so that the arms can work optimally. The elbows are brought to the body at chest height and the forward movement of the arms is initiated. At the end of the inward movement, the head is above the surface of the water and inhalation occurs. The arms should be as close as possible stretched forward in order to generate as little resistance as possible in the water. The head is placed in the water during the arm extension phase.

Leg movement:

Leg movement is the more difficult part of the breaststroke swim.

In order to create as little resistance as possible to the swimming direction, when kicking the legs just worked with the lower legs. The Thigh stop and the lower legs are attached to the buttocks. A Outward rotation the feet (supination) and the lower legs are moved in a circle.

error

Typical mistakes at the Brood swimming are:

• Arms are not fully extended at the beginning of the pull phase. Thus, the travel of the arms to work is significantly shortened and the propulsion through the arms is reduced.
• The hands are not perpendicular to the swimming direction. The water is only cut and the abutment cannot be built up.
• The knees are pulled below the abdomen. As a result, the body experiences a braking effect because it works against the water resistance.
• The head is raised too much to breathe. A lot of energy is wasted in the process.