Strokes

	FREESTYLE Freestyle used to be a single-arm sidestroke. In 1908 swimmers used a stroke called the front crawl, also called the Australian crawl, which is now called freestyle. Freestyle is the fastest swimming stroke. It is also the most efficient. To swim freestyle correctly your body must be streamlined and horizontal.
	Your legs and arms most move continuously. Each arm stroke and turn propels you through the water. You kick each leg up and down to keep you balanced. Your face stays in the water even when you turn you head to breath.
	BREASTSTOKE When swimmers swim breaststroke they must follow strict rules when performing this stroke. When you swim breaststroke your shoulders must be kept inline with the water, arm and leg movements must be together, and your hands must also be pushed forward, together, and brought back under the surface of the water.
	In breaststroke both hand must touch the wall at the turn and at the finish. When swimming breaststroke part of the swimmers head must be above the surface of the water at all times.
	BUTTERFLY Butterfly is probably the hardest stroke to swim. Butterfly swimmers must keep their shoulders inline with the surface of the water. Their arm and leg movements must be together. In butterfly their are two kicks per stroke.
	The butterfly kick is an up and down "dolphin kick". Butterfly was invented in the early 1930's but was swum as a version of breaststroke until 1952.
	BACKSTROKE In backstroke your body should naturally role through the water. When you are swimming backstroke your head should be tilted and looking at the ceiling.
	To swim backstroke your head stays tilted back, your arms role through thr water, and your legs move along with our arms.
	STARTS A strong start is very important in swimming especially when you swim short distances. You need to get off the block quickly and accurately.
	The backstroke start begins in the water and is really only a back dive. When you are doing a backstroke start you face the wall, hold onto the start rail or gutter, and keep your feet close to the surface. After you push off you do a few underwater kicks before coming up to the surface.
	TURNS Turns are very valuable in swimming. They can save a lot of time during a race. All a turn is, is a somersault underwater. Butterfly and backstroke require more of a twisting movement and both your hands and feet have to touch the wall. Backstroke and freestyle turns are often called "flip turns". Good turns only some through a lot of practice and hard work.