Swimming Technique & Stroke Development Flashcards

When coaching breaststroke, what is the 'glide' position and how has modern racing technique modified its use?

Answer: Full extension with both arms and legs streamlined; modern racing minimizes glide duration to maintain momentum

The glide is the streamlined full-extension position after the kick; modern elite breaststroke reduces glide time to avoid velocity loss while still achieving streamlining.

What distinguishes a 'tempo' swimmer from a 'distance-per-stroke' swimmer in freestyle racing strategy?

Answer: Tempo swimmers rely on a higher stroke rate with shorter distance per stroke

Tempo swimmers maintain a high stroke rate with shorter distance per stroke, while DPS swimmers use a slower rate with greater distance covered per stroke cycle.

In backstroke, where should the hand enter the water relative to the shoulder?

Answer: At the shoulder line with the pinky finger entering first

The backstroke hand enters at the shoulder line with the pinky finger first, which correctly positions the arm for an effective underwater pull.

What is 'skating position' in backstroke and what skill does it reinforce?

Answer: A drill where the swimmer lies on their side with one arm extended, reinforcing body rotation and balance

Skating position places the swimmer on their side with one arm extended, teaching the body rotation angle and balance essential to an efficient backstroke.

Which of the following best describes the 'S-pull' controversy in freestyle coaching?

Answer: Some coaches promote an S-shaped pull path while research shows a straighter high-elbow pull is more efficient

Earlier coaching promoted an S-shaped pull path to use still water, but biomechanical research now supports a straighter pull with a high elbow (EVF) as more propulsively efficient.

What is the correct foot position during the downbeat of the freestyle flutter kick?

Answer: Plantar flexed (toes pointed)

During the downbeat, the feet should be plantar flexed (toes pointed) to present the top of the foot to the water as a propulsive surface.

A coach observes a swimmer crossing the centerline with each arm entry in freestyle. What common problem does this indicate?

Answer: Overreaching across the body's midline, which causes lateral body sway and inefficiency

Crossing the centerline during entry causes the body to sway side-to-side (snaking), which increases drag and disrupts the propulsive force direction.