The different types of swimming styles and strokes mainly include the freestyle stroke, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly stroke, and sidestroke. It’s best to learn several different swimming strokes as each offer different advantages in different situations. For example, different muscles are used for different strokes, so learning all of the strokes provides a more comprehensive workout.
Freestyle/Front Crawl
Lie on your stomach with your body parallel to the water. Propel yourself forward with alternating arm movements in a sort of windmill motion that starts by pushing underwater and recovers above water.
- Time your breathing to match your swimming strokes by turning your head to the side while your arm is in the recovery position.
Trudgen
Swimming mostly on your side, alternating lifting each arm out of the water and over your head
Backstroke
While floating on your back, alternate your arms with a windmill-like motion to propel yourself backwards
- Your legs should engage in a flutter kick
- Keep your body as straight as possible, with a slight decline in the lower body to keep your legs underwater
- Match your breaths to your strokes
Elementary Backstroke
This is a variation from the typical backstroke that uses a reversed breaststroke kick while your arms move in sync beneath the water.
Breaststroke
The slowest competitive swimming stroke, and the most commonly learned stroke. It’s often taught to beginner swimmers because it does not require putting your head underwater.
- Time each arm stroke to match your leg movements for more effective propulsion by resting the arms while the legs kick, and straightening the legs while the arms push you forward.
Combat Side Stroke
This is a form of the sidestroke that all US Navy SEALs have to learn
Become a Good Swimmer
The best way to improve or to become truly great is with hard work and practice
Butterfly
The butterfly is an advanced swimming stroke that provides an excellent workout. It is the second fastest competitive stroke, and the favorite stroke of Olympic legend Michael Phelps.
- To perform the butterfly stroke, start horizontal with your stomach facing the bottom of the pool. Bring your arms simultaneously over your head and push them into the water to propel you forward and bring them up out of the water again to repeat.
Sidestroke
This is an older swimming style that is not typically used in swim competitions, but is still an important stroke to learn for safety reasons. It involves swimming on your side, as the name implies, propelling yourself forward with a scissor kick and alternating arm movements.
- One way to remember the sidestroke is by comparing it to apple picking.
