Swimming: Stroke Development Backstroke

Elite Pulling Pattern
Alternating circular arm action over and under the water with a straight arm recovery, brushing your ears and elbows locked straight. The hand entry into the water is controlled with the palm facing out and little finger first to reduce resistance. The palm of the hand presses down to catch position in the water. At the deepest point following hand entry and with good shoulder rotation, the elbow bends and drops to a deeper position, creating a lever to produce more power as the hand pushes towards the feet. The arm starts to straighten as the hand presses downwards before sweeping towards the thigh; The arm then moves in line with the shoulder as the hand recovers out of the water close to the thigh with thumbs first, elbow straight as the arm is taken past the head to entry point once again.

Turns
The backstroke turn is executed by rolling over onto your front on the last stroke into the wall, drop your head down towards the knees and lift the hips and feet upwards as you rotate. Plant your feet on the wall and drive off with both legs. Push off underwater on your back with your arms stretched out in a streamlined position hugging your ears. After the push off execute a dolphin leg kick for approximately five seconds or up to a maximum of fifteenmetres within the laws of swimming. The dolphin leg kick is found to be more powerful than a traditional split kick. The dolphin leg kick provides greater power by keeping the feet together and creating good undulation with the legs whilst underwater.

Pulling Pattern
Alternating circular action over and under the
water. Hand entry into the water is controlled
and in line with the shoulder. Hand recovery
out of the water is close to the thigh.

Turns
Touch Turn. On the last stroke into the wall stretch your arm out to hold the wall with one hand, lift your knees towards the chest and turn to the left if your left hand is on the wall or right if your right hand is on the wall, place your feet on the wall. The arm that is not holding the wall will stretch out above the head then take your arm from the wall over the water surface in line with your shoulder and push off the wall on your back. Ensure both arms are stretched out above the head on the water surface hugging the ears.