Different Strokes

There are four main strokes to learn in swimming. If you find yourself struggling to remember which is which, just learn what each stroke is called as you pick them up, one at a time. For those who are more eager to make sense of it all, this is how every beginner can differentiate the strokes.

Freestyle: This is also known as the front crawl; the term was popularized by swimmer Dick Cavill who described his technique to be similar to crawling. In this stroke, you are floating on your ‘front’, and you move forward by alternating your hands and arms in a ‘flutter kick’ motion. It is the stroke that requires the least energy output to move fast and is probably the first stroke that you will learn.

Backstroke: As the name implies, you are facing the sky, with your back in the water. You move backwards by alternating your hands one at a time with the above ‘flutter kick’.

Breaststroke: This stroke is akin to the movement of a frog. Don’t be fooled by the graceful, repetitive movements as this stroke does require a fair amount of upper body strength! Your hands come together into your chest, and you push forwards downwards to move forward in a ‘catch’ motion. This is synchronized with your legs that come in together to your glutes, before giving your powerful kicks.

In learning this stroke, you will also practise sculling, which requires you to push water inwards and outwards from yourself by flicking your wrists. This is a crucial skill for treading water.

Butterfly: If your goal for starting swimming is to lose weight, the butterfly stroke is king. You can burn up to 774 calories per hour with this stroke. Swimmers throw their hands back before swinging them to the front in a wide, circular motion. This stroke is usually propelled by dolphin kicks in which the swimmer’s legs are together and he or she uses their hips to make a wave-like motion.

Distance and Maneuvering Terms

Lap and Split: The distance to swim one length of a pool is referred to as a ‘Lap’ and the amount of time it takes to cover a lap is known as a ‘Split’.

Circular Swimming: In swimming etiquette, swimmers stick to the right side of the lane, and return on the right side from their direction. This is to facilitate smooth flow of continuous movement with many swimmers without clashing. And yep, it isn’t a round-shaped motion.

Flip Turn: When you get to the end of a lap, you can do a somersault-like turn, without touching the wall with your hands, so that you won’t break your stride.

Streamline: Upon jumping off the platform to start a race, swimmers will streamline their bodies to reduce drag and increase speed in the water. They assume the position of putting their hands together above their head and squeezing their legs together to form a long, lean line.

Competition Terms

Meet: A swimming competition is often called a meet and the events in which you compete for different strokes are called heat.

Scratch: Sometimes, swimmers have to withdraw from events in a particular meet so they are scratched from the event.

A term used when swimmers are disqualified due to starting before the signal or having a false start, is roll. When swimmers finish the race, it is known as touch. After all, they have to touch the wall to finish.

Now that you know the basic terms, you have no excuse not to get out there and swim. Take it easy and take it slowly. Just like learning the language, your swimming skills will take practise and familiarity. Come back to this list whenever you feel that you need a clarification and with time, you will get there!

Do not hesitate to reach out to our Swimming Coach if you need any advice or tips!

Hi Readers! A peek into my life consists of figure skating, traveling, writing and doing many things to keep up my fitness like yoga and swimming. As a skating coach and former music & movement instructor, I hope to shed some light on how fitness and swimming in particular, can benefit and aid you. Cheers!