Many beginning swimmers find the breaststroke harder to master than the freestyle. The breaststroke requires you to coordinate your arms and legs in a balanced, well-timed rhythm. Keep certain basic tips in mind as you practice the stroke, and soon you will begin to feel more comfortable with the stroke.
Kick
According to a 2008 article in "The Guardian," the breaststroke draws 70 to 80 percent of its power from the legs, rather than the arms. Focus on your legs to improve the power and efficiency of your breaststroke. The breaststroke kick resembles a frog's kick in the water. From a streamlined position with your legs stretched straight behind you, bring your heels toward your butt and then kick out with both feet at the same time. Avoid snapping your knees; rather, focus on making the whole kick in one fluid motion. At the end of the kick, let your legs stretch behind you in a glide before bringing your heels back toward your butt to begin a second kick. Make sure you bring your legs all the way together before starting the next kick.
Arms
Stretch your arms straight in front of you and turn your hands outward so that your palms face out and down. Pull your arms out and away from each other and bend your elbows when your hands move out wider than your shoulders. Bring your hands together close to your body and then stretch your arms out again. Keep your hands in front of your shoulders throughout the arm pull. You should always be able to see your hands.
Timing
At the end of each leg kick, your body should be streamlined with your legs together and straight out and your arms reaching straight out in front of you. Glide for a moment during this part of the stroke before beginning your arm pull and lifting your head above the surface to take a breath.
Head and Breathing
Keep your head face down in the water while you glide and bring it just above the surface to breathe between strokes. Do not let your chin lift above the surface of the water. Exhale underwater while your head faces down.
Body Position
Your stroke will be more efficient the more streamlined you keep your body in the water. Keep your hips and back close to the water's surface. Make sure you move your arms and legs symmetrically so that your body does not twist out of the horizontal position.
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