Backstroke full stroke

The “backstroke full stroke” typically refers to the complete technique used in the backstroke swimming style. In competitive swimming, the backstroke is one of the four primary strokes, and swimmers use a specific set of movements to propel themselves through the water efficiently.

Here’s a breakdown of the key elements of the backstroke full stroke:

Starting Position:

The swimmer begins floating on their back, arms extended overhead, and legs straight.

Body Position:

Swimmers lie on their backs in the water with their bodies horizontal and face-up. The body should be as streamlined as possible to minimize drag.

Arm Movement:

The arms move alternately in a continuous motion. One arm begins the pull while the other arm recovers above the water. The pulling arm executes a semi-circular motion, starting from a high position near the head, pulling downward and outward, and ending near the hips. The arm then exits the water, and the recovery phase begins with the arm sweeping upward and forward back to the starting position near the head.

Hand Position:

The hand enters the water pinky first, followed by the rest of the hand and arm, to minimize resistance.

Leg Movement:

The legs perform an alternating flutter kick, with each leg kicking downward from the hip in a quick, continuous motion. The toes should remain pointed, and the legs should stay relatively straight, with a slight bend at the knees.

Breathing:

Unlike other strokes where swimmers turn their heads to breathe, backstroke swimmers breathe by simply while maintaining a steady rhythm of arm and leg movements.

Rotation: There should be a slight rotation of the body along the horizontal axis with each stroke to facilitate a longer reach and more powerful pull.

Timing:

The timing of the arm pull and leg kick should be coordinated to maintain a smooth and efficient stroke cycle.

Finish:

The stroke cycle is completed when both arms have gone through the pull and recovery phases, and the legs have completed the flutter kick.

The backstroke full stroke is essential for competitive backstroke swimming and requires coordination, technique, and conditioning for optimal performance.