Evolution of the Bathing Suit

Butterfly
When you first hear or think of Butterfly you may think of the fluttering insect. This is a different type of Butterfly. Butterfly is in my opinion the hardest stroke. It uses the muscles in your back, shoulders, chest, legs, arms and most important the abs. For this stroke you must be very strong and have a good rhythm. For this stroke you have an out of water recovery. You must have a strong dolphin kick to push your self through the water. In 1930 the Butterfly was swum as a version of the breaststroke (see further down the page). By 1952 it was officially a new stroke. This stroke requires a two-hand touch off of every wall including the finish touch.

Backstroke
Backstroke is a stroke that is obviously swum on your back. Aha well contrary to belief it is not swum on your back at all. It is fact swum on your sides. in order to do this stroke correctly you must rotate from side to side as you swim. Now don't get confused. Your face is facing towards the ceiling and that's why it looks like you are on you back. Your head stays still, but body is rotating under the water. This stroke is also an out of water recovery. The feet mainly stay under water with a "boiling" intoed kick.
Breaststroke
Breaststroke is the slowest of the four strokes, but if done correctly you can go pretty quick. All of your limbs stay under water and you breath every stroke. Your head comes out of the water when you breath. This stroke involves a whip kick or a frog kick if you will. When you breath you pull in and drop your your hips. Then drive your head and hands forward and finish with a whip kick. SNAP!!
Freestyle
Freestyle or also known as the crawl is the fastest of the strokes. It is also the most efficient. when you swim freestyle your legs are in constant kick. And just like backstroke you are always rotating. Your one arm comes out of the water while the other one stays in then they switch. This repeats. Keep in mind the constant kick. This is a very popular stroke and it is usually the first stroke you learn.

Starts
	There are three main types of starts. The first start is the grab start. It is exactly what it sounds like. You step up on the block, bend down and grip the front of the block. The second start is a track start. It is basically the same idea but the difference is in the grab start your feet are parallel. In the track start your one foot is at the front of the block and your other foot is at the back of the block. The last start is the backstroke start. This start is in the water Your knees are are bent under the water. your arms are grabbing the block handles or the wall and you tuck and go.
Turns
		Turns are a major part of the swim race. There are are four types of turns. There is the flip turn, the open turn, the backstroke turn. The flip turn is the most common turn. It is the turn you usually. You swim into the wall, tuck, do a somersault and push off the wall. The backstroke turn is basically the same, but you swim into the wall doing backstroke, not free, then turn over on your stomach take one pull and somersault. The open turn is the easiest and is used for breaststroke and butterfly. You swim into the wall touch with TWO hands (this is very important)