What are the key points of the leg movements in breaststroke?

People will try various swimming styles when swimming, including breaststroke. Anyone who has seen others do the breaststroke knows that this swimming posture is very similar to that of a frog, so it is called breaststroke. It is said that this swimming style is a relatively ancient one. There are many benefits to doing breaststroke. For example, the eyes can see forward when swimming, so it can avoid hitting obstacles. The following will teach you the correct leg movements for breaststroke.

Breaststroke leg movement essentials:

The main driving force of breaststroke comes from the legs kicking and squeezing water. The kicking method of breaststroke is neither kicking backwards nor stretching the legs straight to squeeze the water. It is a combination of the two movements.

Use the inner side of your calves and soles of your feet to kick the water, like a whip, so it is quite difficult. However, with more practice, coupled with in-depth videos or the help of a swimming coach to correct you, you will soon find the feeling of kicking and clamping the water.

Before introducing the breaststroke kicking action, let's take a look at some common mistakes:

Breaststroke mistakes: unclear foot-flipping movements

The first wrong action: The foot-turning movement is not clear. Foot-turning is the key to generating power. The sole of the foot is the end of the leg. If the foot-turning is not done well, it means that the strength is not used effectively.

Breaststroke mistakes, buttocks sticking up

The second wrong action: lifting the buttocks: when pulling the legs in, you pull them in too much and too close to the abdomen, arching the body, causing the buttocks to float upwards. Therefore, every time the legs are retracted, the buttocks will be lifted up, which is not only unsightly but also creates a lot of resistance.

Breaststroke mistakes: no drift, quick leg pull

The third wrong action: no drift, quick leg retraction. The propulsion force of the frog legs is the driving force to maintain floating. Retracting the legs too early will waste the propulsion force generated. If the leg retraction is too large or too fast, it will increase resistance and reduce forward force.

The correct breaststroke leg movements can be roughly divided into five formulas: 1. Slowly pull the legs back; 2. Keep the knees shoulder-width apart; 3. Turn the soles of the feet outward; 4. Push back and clamp; 5. Keep the legs together horizontally;

Breaststroke leg movements

When practicing breaststroke kicking, you can first float on the edge of the swimming pool, keep your head above water, keep your legs together and straight, relax and float on the water. When you pull your legs in, slowly pull your calves toward the kicking position, and at the same time separate your knees to about shoulder width. Hook your feet like hoes, facing forward and outward, with your feet and calves outward, drawing a semicircle forward.