JHEAN ALYZZAH S.

RUETE
12-GAS
PE
ASSIGNMENT

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SWIMMING STROKES

FREESTYLE STROKE- Or known as front crawl. The front crawl is the easiest yet fastest
swimming method. It’s the standard swimming method given that most people start learning
swimming through it. It entails simple strokes with both hands and feet with the body lying
horizontal, facing downwards. The movement for this style is always forward. The hardest part
with this style is timing the breathing with each stroke. Exhaling in most cases is done through
the nose while facing down. Inhaling is done through your mouth when part of your face is out
of water.

BACKSTROKE STYLE- The backstroke is simply the freestyle but on your back. The
movements are the same, but you’ll be doing so while on your back. It’s a great exercise routine,
especially when you have a problem with your back. The fact that you’ll be making movements
without taxing the back too much facilitates your healing process.

BREAST STROKE- Another very common swimming style is breaststroke. This style highly
mimics the jumping and swimming movements of a frog. It is the oldest and yet the slowest
stroke. Unlike freestyle, when doing breaststroke, the body position changes continuously during
the stroke cycle. It changes from a streamline horizontal position (after kicking) to an inclined
position (for inhaling) during the arm pull.

SIDESTROKE- The sidestroke, while not used for competitive purposes owing to its slow
nature, is an important style to learn as it can save lives. When lifeguards rescue someone
drowning, they employ this style given that it allows carrying something as you swim. Also, if
you find yourself away from land and you have to swim for long, this style is quite good as it
employs very little energy. As its name suggests, it’s a style done on one side of the body. It’s
another easy style to learn as your head will mostly be above the water. You start by floating
your body sideways on the water.

BUTTERFLY- The butterfly stroke is among fastest swimming styles and used in lots of water
competitions. It is the second fastest after front crawl. However, it’s a very complex style to
master especially if you are new swimmer. Basically you start in a horizontal position with your
stomach facing down. You move your up to breathe, your arms perform the pull. Your
legs(straight and together) perform the dolphin kick. A kick similar to how a dolphin tail moves.
Your body moves in a fluid wave-like motion. While difficult to learn, this style has its benefits
as evidenced by the many medals in Mike Phelps’ cabinet. Also, the fluid movements entailed in
this workout make it one of the best when it comes to working out the whole body.

ELEMENTARY BACKSTROKE- Another very simple swimming style is the elementary

backstroke. It’s the simpler version of the backstroke and called ‘elementary’ due to its simplistic
nature. It’s among the first styles taught to children as it’s easy to grasp, allows for easy
breathing and fun to perform. The fact that you’re not coordinating any part of the body with
another makes it simple enough to be done by anyone at any age. It’s another style you can use
when you’re far off from the land and just want to slowly drift without using lots of energy. It’s
also easy to float as long as you keep your body straight.

COMBAT SIDESTROKE- The most complex yet most efficient swimming stroke is the combat
sidestroke. It’s not a pure style as such, but a combination of the sidestroke, freestyle and the
breaststroke. It was created for US Navy SEALs as it helps you save energy, move fast and
reduce your profile in the water. As such, it’s a stealth type of swimming style that causes very
little disturbance on the water yet very fast. The focus is to keep the head, back and hips on a
single axis even as you twist to the side and downwards. You don’t want a pirate spotting you as
you swim for a critical recuse mission if you’re a navy SEAL. All the movements happen in the
water but just below the surface where there’s very little pressure.
TRUDGEN- The trudgen swimming stroke is another hybrid style combining the freestyle and
sidestroke styles for a unique yet easy result. It’s named after the famous English swimmer John
Trudgen. This style entails majorly swimming on your side while using arms over your head and
scissor kicks in every second stroke. The scissor kick occurs when you’re on your side. As your
left arm comes over your head, your legs spread in readiness for the scissor kick. As the arm
comes down to the surface of the water, you do the scissor kick by pulling your legs together.

SCULLING- This a basic swimming technique in which your hands make horizontal in the water
to keep your head above the water surface without sinking. It is a fundamental safety skill that
novice swimmers are taught. Professional synchronized swimming performances rely a lot on
this skill as well. You can scull vertically or horizontally. The basic sculling technique involves
moving your arms, in a circular or figure-eight motion palms facing down nearly parallel to
floor. This done on or just under the surface of the water, exerting pressure downward.

TREADING- Treading water is a swimming technique that involves moving your arms and legs
simultaneously but in an efficient way. In most cases you remain in vertical position without
moving. Just like sculling, treading is not stroke but a safety technique that beginners learn
before moving to other swim strokes.It is specifically meant to make swimmers stay afloat when
stopping a swim stroke in deep waters. It is a way to relax or rest in water without having to get
out. As your body is kept body afloat and your head above the surface, you can easily breathe.
There are so many ways to do tread water. However, any technique that will keep you afloat with
moving while utilizing your legs and hands can be considered water treading.