different swimming strokes

There are many modalities of swimming competitions, distinguished mainly by the swimming strokes that are allowed, including the following

Butterfly or fly: the course must be completed entirely in the butterfly style, in which the swimmer brings his or her arms near full extension and releases at the waist. While the swimmer's arms are at full extension the head comes up to take a breath as the arms pull down. As the swimmer releases the water past their hips, they bring their arms up and out into the recovery while the head goes back down. "Dolphin kicking" (undulating) with both feet together in sequence with two kicks per arm stroke. Usually there is a kick while the hands are at full extension and then one at the recovery when the hands are at their hips. All end walls must be touched with two hands, and the swimmer will be disqualified if his/her arms do not clear the water at the same time. Typical distances include 50, 100, 200 meters or yards. Novice swimmers may compete in 25 meter or yard butterfly races.

Backstroke or back: competitors must swim in the backstroke style, which is similar to the front crawl, except on the back. Kicking is done by alternating both feet continuously. The arms pull one at a time in a windmill motion on the side of the body. At the end walls, flip turns are permitted (the swimmer is to turn on to his/her front before performing the freestyle flip turn), and a two-hand touch is not necessary. Typical distances include 50, 100, 200 meters or yards, depending on the pool. Novice swimmers may compete in 25 meter or yard backstroke races.

Breaststroke or breast: competitors must swim in the breaststroke style, where the swimmer kicks legs out (much like a frog, but more whip like and with the knees staying closely together). The hands meanwhile scoop the water in towards the chest and are then thrust forward in front of the body just before the kick is repeated. The breath is started as the hands pull the water from full extension, the head bobs up, and then put back down as the arms thrust forward. One underwater "pull-out" is permitted for the start and after every end wall, with, in order: streamline glide, one fully extended pull, one breaststroke kick while bringing the hands back forward. This pullout is done under water without a breath. Both hands must touch the wall simultaneously at every turn like in the butterfly modality. After the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, there was an adjustment made to the underwater "pull-out", allowing a single downward dolphin kick to be performed simultaneously with the arm pull. Typical distances include 50, 100, 200 meters or yards. Novice swimmers may compete in 25 meter or yard breaststroke races.

Freestyle or free: competitors are free to use any stroke they wish. Most select the front crawl, as it is both the fastest and most efficient. The front crawl is where the swimmer breathes to the side with typically one ear staying in the water, kicks by alternating both legs, and pulls with each arm moving in an alternating fashion. Flip/tumble turns are legal and are used nearly universally. Typical distances are 50, 100, 200, 400, 500, 800 and 1500 metres, as well as 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 1650 yards. Novice swimmers may compete in 25 meter or yard freestyle races. Freestyle may also be swam as a relay with four swimmers, in 4x50, 4x100 or 4x200 formats.

Individual medley or IM: each swimmer must complete one quarter of the full distance in each of the three competition styles (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke) and one part in free style. Open turns are required in the switch from one style to another, but flip turns or bucket turns can be made during a backstroke and freestyle flip turn where the next stroke is the same as the previous one. Suicide turns are also allowable during the transition from backstroke to breaststroke. Each part must be completed in its style before moving on to the next style. The full distance is typically 100, 200, or 400 meters or yards. There is also a medley relay in which four swimmers each swim one of the four strokes. The relay is swam in 4x50 or 4x100 formats, and in the following order: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle.

At the end walls, the following turns may be permitted, depending on the modality and swimming style:



Open turn

Flip turn or tumble turn

Backwards flip turn or bucket turn