Swimming: Stroke Development Backstroke

Dive
Start in the water, hold onto the poolside or starting block with both hands about shoulder width apart. Place both feet on the wall with one foot slightly higher than the other to stop any possible slip of the feet. Pull the body into the wall or starting block by creating a tight tuck. Drive the hands and arms backwards over your head allowing the head to follow through to create an arch of the back over the water surface in order to dive through the same point of contact in the water. Once the whole body is underwater execute a dolphin leg to a maximum of fifteen metres, within the laws of swimming, ascend to the surface in streamlined position throughout the fifteen metres to resume full stroke.

Elite Body Position
Streamlined and almost horizontal in the water with the back of the head in the water and eyes looking up towards the ceiling and slightly forwards. Hold the head perfectly still in a central position. Chest clear of the water surface with hips held high. Increased upper body rotation enabling more power to be applied throughout the pull. Feet and toes pointed to the opposite end of the pool creating some white water splash. Kicking is achieved with knees below the water surface. Ensure good streamlining at all times.

Elite Kicking Action
Steady alternating kick in line with the body close to the water surface. The kick starts from the hips and using the whole of your leg kick through to the toes. Knees kept underwater passing close to each other with feet and toes pointed. Do not start to drive the kick from the knee, (a common mistake which will develop poor propulsion). Feet and toes should just break the water surface creating some turbulent white water splash, producing speed and stability from the lower body. Do not to kick too deep or too shallow, the depth of the kicking action should be consistent and comfortable, alternating the feet to little more than the depth of your chest.

Timing
Ensure coordination of kicking, pulling and breathing into a continuous fluent movement for a smooth controlled stroke. With emphasis on the development of optimum power production within each stroke for a given speed by identifying your individual stroke count and stroke rate. The relationship of stroke length should be identified with the above and varies with each individual and event requirements. Develop optimum feel for the water by the amount of resultant and propulsive force that you apply for a given speed and find true efficiency.