breaststroke

Breaststroke is a swimming stroke performed on the chest, characterized by a simultaneous arm pull that moves from in front of the body outward and back toward the chest, combined with a broad, frog-like kick. It is one of the four competitive strokes recognized in modern aquatics and is commonly taught because of its efficiency, stability, and ease of learning.

In a typical cycle, the swimmer begins with arms extended forward. The hands sweep outward and then press back toward the chest in a semi-circular pull, the head lifting briefly to take a breath near the end of the pull. Immediately after the pull, the legs perform a whip-like frog kick: the heels are drawn toward the buttocks, knees bend, then feet sweep outward and backward to propel the body. The body glides with the arms extended and the head in a neutral position before the next pull begins. Timing is coordinated to produce a continuous, compact forward motion and a light recovery above the water.

Breaststroke can be performed with slight variations in tempo and glide and is the only stroke in which the arm and leg actions are coordinated within a single cycle. In competition, events include 50m, 100m, and 200m for men and women. The stroke is a staple in both elite meets and recreational swimming, valued for its balance of speed, efficiency, and ease of learning.

Breaststroke has ancient roots and is among the oldest swimming strokes. Modern competitive breaststroke began to take shape in the 19th and 20th centuries as governing bodies standardized the technique and rules. It remains a core element of competitive and instructional swimming worldwide.