The backstroke, or back crawl, uses alternating and opposite arm movements. … The legs perform a flutter kick, similar to the one used in the front crawl. The backstroke is, as the name suggests, the only one of the four competitive swimming strokes swum on the back.
What is the main purpose of backstroke?
Backstroke As a Safety Stroke
Its main purpose is to allow you to catch your breath and lower your heart rate at any moment during an open-water swim. Occasionally using a stroke other than freestyle can make your race experience more enjoyable and relaxed.
What is the origin of backstroke in swimming?
Backstroke swimming developed as an offshoot of front crawl, with swimmers copying the overarm technique on their backs. One of the most important developments in the history of backstroke was made in the late 1930s when Australian swimmers began to bend their arms for the underwater phase of the stroke.
What are the skills in backstroke?
Rebecca Adlington’s 6 swim tips for backstroke brilliance
- Keep your body flat like a plank. “Try to keep your hips as close to the surface as possible” …
- Use a ‘flutter’ kick. …
- Use a long fluid arm motion. …
- Breathe once per arm cycle. …
- Use the ceiling or clouds to keep yourself straight. …
- Accelerate your arm speed.
What are the benefits of backstroke?
The backstroke provides you with a whole-body workout that’s especially beneficial to the latissimus dorsi muscle (also known as the “lats”) in your back. It also works out your chest, arms, legs, glutes and core. Consistent swimming on your back will help these major muscle groups grow stronger.
What are the rules and regulations in backstroke?
BACKSTROKE:
- At the signal for starting and after turning the swimmer shall push off and swim upon his/her back throughout the race except when executing a turn. …
- Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race. …
- Upon the finish of the race the swimmer must touch the wall while on the back.
What are the three phases of the backstroke?
In backstroke, the arm stroke movements can be divided into the following phases: Entry and extension forward. First downsweep. Catch.
How does backstroke differ from other swimming strokes?
One arm will come up out of the water and go overhead, while the other sweeps forward beneath you in the water. … The beauty of backstroke is that you only need to concentrate on your arm and leg movements. There is no breathing technique to worry about because your face is always above the water.
What muscles are used in backstroke?
Muscles Used
Freestyle primarily uses your triceps, pecs, glutes, hamstrings, and quads. Backstroke uses a lot more of your latissimus dorsi, which is the muscle that stretches across your back, in addition to your glutes, quadriceps, and hamstrings.
Is backstroke hard?
Backstroke is one of the easiest strokes to learn, and one of the hardest to master. Here are some basic technique tips for backstroke swimmers. Your face should be pointing straight up. The natural instinct when doing backstroke is to look around.
What is the body position of backstroke?
In backstroke, you float on your back in the water. Your body is almost horizontal, with a slight tilt toward the feet. A good position of the body is essential to swim backstroke.
What is elementary backstroke?
Elementary backstroke is a swim stroke that is swum on the back, using a reversed breaststroke kick and a simple synchronous under water arm stroke.