Six types of swimming strokes incorporate different kick movements and arm motions to propel your body across the surface of the water. Individual swimming strokes may require efficient technique, muscular strength and endurance than other strokes. Each stroke features particular characteristics, such as speed, easy breathing, low physical labor and technical mastery.
Front Crawl
The crawl is a common stroke for freestyle competitions and may be the fastest stroke. Perform the crawl face down. Extend one arm and push water beneath your body. Alternate using each of your arms for this motion to allow one to recover while the other pushes back against the water beneath your body. Combine your arm movements with a flutter kick to propel your body across the surface of the water.
Backstroke
Perform the backstroke face up on the surface of the water. Reverse the alternating crawl stroke arm motion for the backstroke. Combine the arm motion with a flutter kick to propel you across the surface of the water. According to USAswimming.org, an Olympian backstroker may rotate on to the stomach only to perform a flip turn but must finish on his back. Olympic backstroke competitions require swimmers to resurface from a flip turn within 15 meters from the wall.
Breaststroke
Perform the breaststroke on your stomach. Simultaneously push your arms out in front of your body from your chest. Keep your arms extended as you pull the water back along the same horizontal plane as the surface of the water with both arms. Use a frog-like kick for this stroke by simultaneously bending your knees to match the same horizontal plane as your arms. Extend your legs straight back as you push the water back with your arms.
Butterfly
The butterfly stroke uses dolphin kick that features simultaneous undulating up and down feet and arm movements. Both of your arms propel this stroke by simultaneously pushing back and recovering above the surface of the water. The butterfly stroke requires coordinating movements in most of your body's major muscle regions. Major muscle groups involved in the butterfly include your legs, chest, shoulders and abdominal muscles. Teenbodybuilding.com suggests that the butterfly requires more efficient technique than any other stroke.
Sidestroke
Lay on your side on the surface of the water for the sidestroke. Extend the submerged arm straight above your head. Repeatedly extend your submerged arm and pull back against the water to propel your body across the surface of the water. Keep the elbow on your exposed arm close to your body throughout the stroke. The sidestroke kick is a scissor kick that requires simultaneously bending and extending your legs.
Dog Paddle
The dog paddle is a basic swim stroke. Lay chest-down on the surface of the water. Alternate fluttering your hands palms-down. Alternate bending your knees and flutter kicking with your feet to propel this stroke. This stroke resembles the movement that four-legged animals like dogs or horses use to swim in the water.
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