Breaststroke

Breaststroke is a unique swimming style performed while lying on the chest. Unlike other strokes, the torso does not rotate during the movement. It is the most popular recreational style because the head remains above water frequently. This allows swimmers to move comfortably at slow speeds. However, competitive breaststroke requires immense strength and endurance. It is the slowest of the four official competitive swimming styles.

The fastest professionals can reach speeds of about 1.70 meters per second.

The mechanics of the stroke involve precise coordination between the arms and legs. The arm movement consists of three distinct phases: the outsweep, the insweep, and the recovery. During the outsweep, the hands separate to slightly past shoulder width. In the insweep, the hands point down and push water backward to create thrust. Finally, the recovery phase moves the arms forward to the starting position.

Most competitive swimmers use a variant where the arms recover over the water to reduce drag.

Leg movement is equally vital and is often called a whip kick. This name describes the whip-like motion that starts at the core and moves through the legs. The movement begins by bringing the feet toward the body while keeping the knees together. The feet then point outward to prepare for the thrust phase. During this thrust, the legs move elliptically and very quickly to push the swimmer forward. This powerful kick allows for a long glide underwater.

Competitive swimmers also utilize a special move called the underwater pullout, or "pull down." This occurs after the start and after every turn at the pool wall. The swimmer starts in a streamline position and pulls their arms all the way down past the hips. As of the 2024 season, FINA rules allow one optional downward dolphin kick during this phase. Following this, the swimmer recovers their arms to a streamline position and performs a breaststroke kick.

Mastering these turns and starts is essential for improving race times.

The history of this stroke may stretch back to the Stone Age. Images in the Cave of the Swimmers in Egypt suggest very early swimming. Later, Babylonian and Assyrian drawings also show versions of the stroke. In 1538, Nicolas Wynman wrote the first swimming book, titled *Colymbetes*. He wrote it to help reduce the dangers of drowning. In 1696, Melchisédech Thévenot wrote *The Art of Swimming*, which popularized a modern version of the technique.

Significant milestones shaped how we swim today. In 1875, Captain Matthew Webb used breaststroke to swim the 21.26-mile English Channel. He completed the feat in 21 hours and 45 minutes. The 1904 Summer Olympics were the first to feature a separate breaststroke competition. In the 1930s, coach David Armbruster and swimmer Jack Sieg developed techniques that eventually became the butterfly stroke. This happened because bringing the arms over the water increased speed significantly. By 1952, the butterfly was officially recognized as its own separate style.

Rules have also evolved to ensure swimmer safety. In the 1950s, some swimmers tried to stay underwater for long distances to increase speed. This led to swimmers passing out from oxygen starvation. Consequently, FINA introduced rules requiring the head to break the surface during every cycle. Other rule changes, such as those in the mid-1960s, prevented arms from going beyond the hip line. These regulations ensure that breaststroke remains a distinct and safe discipline within the sport of swimming.