# Swimming Strokes
Confidence: high
Last verified: 2026-05-22
Generation: ai_assisted


## TL;DR

Competitive swimming has 4 strokes: freestyle (fastest, front crawl), backstroke (only stroke swum on back), breaststroke (slowest, simultaneous arm/leg motion), butterfly (most demanding, simultaneous overhead arm recovery). Medley: individual (one swimmer all 4) or relay (4 swimmers, each one stroke).

## Core Explanation

Freestyle: alternate arm pulls, flutter kick, breathing to side every 2-3 strokes. Butterfly: dolphin kick, both arms recover over water simultaneously — Michael Phelps' signature stroke. Turns: flip turn (freestyle/backstroke), open turn (breaststroke/butterfly). Starts: dive from blocks except backstroke (in-water start). Olympic pool: 50m long, 10 lanes. Best overall: Phelps (23 gold medals).

## Further Reading

- [Total Immersion (Terry Laughlin)](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Total-Immersion/Terry-Laughlin/9780743253434)