Breast Stroke!

The breaststroke is the oldest known swimming stroke. For many centuries it was thought the best stroke to teach beginners. It is one of four strokes used in competitive swimming, but it is also very popular for leisure swimming because the head can be kept up, making vision and breathing easy, and because the swimmer can momentarily rest between strokes.

4 Important components of the breaststroke are:

Body Position:
In this stroke, the arms and legs move symmetrically. In the glide, the body is flat, prone and streamlined. Keep back straight and body horizontal, with hips and legs just below the surface.

Kick:
The whip kick is used, where the legs start together with the knees inward and the feet press outward as the legs extend. The ideal distance between the knees and between the heels and buttocks at the end of the recovery vary among swimmers.

Arm Stroke:
The arms start together and extend in front of the head. Palms stay down 6-8 inches below the surface of the water.

Breathing and Timing:
As the arms and hands start to pull backward, lift the head to breathe. Breathe during each armstroke. Remember the timing of this stroke with the phrase, "Pull and breathe, kick and glide."