sidestroke

swimming

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

The sidestroke is a swimming technique executed on the side of the body. It was one of the earliest swimming strokes, predating the crawl stroke. In this stroke, the arms move separately towards the feet and downward, while the legs perform a scissors kick. This kick involves opening the legs slowly, with the under leg moving backward and the upper leg forward, both with slightly bent knees and pointed toes. The legs then snap together, providing forward propulsion. While no longer used in competitive swimming, the sidestroke remains valuable for lifesaving and recreational purposes.12

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swimming
Sidestroke
…to be used were the sidestroke and the breaststroke. The sidestroke was originally used with both arms submerged. That practice was modified toward the end of the 19th century by bringing forward first one arm above the water, then the other, and then each in turn. The sidestroke was supplanted…
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…to be used were the sidestroke and the breaststroke. The sidestroke was originally used with both arms submerged. That practice was modified toward the end of the 19th century by bringing forward first one arm above the water, then the other, and then each in turn. The sidestroke was supplanted…
Read More