The sidestroke is not an Olympic swimming event but still is an important stroke. The stroke is one of the most effective methods of swimming while trying to tow another person to shore. The sidestroke isn't fast, but it is relaxing and keeps your head out of the water at all times. Many people enjoy it as a recreational stroke because of its relative ease. Learning the mechanics of the sidestroke is not difficult, and the better grasp you have on the form of the stroke, the easier time you will have swimming.
Step 1
Get into the water and turn onto your side, whichever way is most comfortable. Lay your head against the water so that one ear is in the water. Extend your arms and legs so that they are straight and parallel with the water line. Your body should be straight from your hands to your feet, with your toes pointed down. Your bottom arm should be pointed out in front of you, as it is guiding you in the right direction. Lay your top-side arm along your torso, out of the water.
Step 2
Bend your knees and bring your ankles up near your buttocks, then kick the top leg out in front of you and the bottom leg behind you, forming a "V." This is the start of the scissors kick.
Step 3
Snap your legs down and back together so that they arrive in the starting position. Your body should be propelled through the water by this action.
Step 4
Bring your leading arm -- the arm of the shoulder that is underwater -- down from its outstretched position toward the bottom of the pool, bending it at the shoulder joint and pulling your body forward as your legs kick back together. Your hand should be flat with your palm facing the direction your arm is moving. When the arm is pointed straight down, bend at the elbow and bring the hand up to your chest, then shoot it back out in front of the body to prepare for the next stroke.
Step 5
Bring your hand sideways through the water from your thigh to your chest -- moving it sideways minimizes the drag it creates in the water. As your leading arm moves down through the water, sweep your top hand down from the chest back to its starting position at the thigh. Keep your palm facing the direction the hand is moving to help push water toward your feet, propelling you forward.
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