Watch: Swimming the breaststroke
The breaststroke begins with the swimmer's arms stretched forward from the body and the hands together while the head is kept underwater and the legs are stretched behind the body with the feet together. The hands move apart at the surface and then pull down, out, and back. During the pull, the torso lifts so that the head briefly breaks the surface, and the swimmer takes a breath before exhaling underwater. As the breath is taken, the feet are drawn up toward the buttocks. Then they kick out and down and come together again with the legs stretched behind the body, propelling the swimmer forward.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.The set is essentially a refined overhand pass. With elbows out, the hands should be raised to a position above the head. Palms should be out with fingers spread and thumbs down. The arms should extend to meet the ball with the pads of the fingers. The ball is directed upward and toward a spot where the hitter can make an aggressive play on it.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzOverview of curling.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Scoring figure skating takes a certain je ne sais quoi.Media Editor: Miranda Chabot
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.The swimmer maintains speed coming into the wall and executes a forward flip toward the wall. As the swimmer's feet push off the wall, the swimmer executes a half-twist to reorient the body and enter a streamlined position. The hands are held one on top of the other with the head tucked under the arms. Once the momentum of the push-off is lost, the swimmer resumes the stroke.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.In the backstroke the swimmer is supine and maintains a strong and steady flutter kick, with the head held steady. The stroke begins with one arm reaching above the head and then entering the water palm out. The arm drives downward and outward through the water, then turns at the elbow to sweep in toward the hip. Strokes alternate between arms, and breathing should match the rhythm of the stroke.
-
© American Chemical Society (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Discover the hazardous effect of urinating in a swimming pool.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzOverview of the first Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia, Greece.
