Breaststroke style is often explained so that swimmers will learn it easier. The style for competition where the head raises higher, hand stroke is faster and kicking can be adjusted later.
Body Orientation
The body must be under water surface. It can be achieved by raising the head a bit later after hand stroke so that the shoulders do not raise fast and cause resistance. The legs are bent with the feet under the water surface.
Kicking
At first the legs must bend with thigh and knee flexion. The feet must be closed and start to split until length of shoulder. When the legs kick behind, the knees straighten. After that, the feet are closed together. The speed of kicking is very important. The kicking should start smoothly and end with maximum speed. Straightening knee gives speed. Therefore it should only be done when the kicking is done.
Hand Movement
The arm movement is started with hand pressing outward and downward. At maximum pulling, elbow will bend and the whole hand moves to the middle of body. At this state, the swimmer reaches the fastest speed. The elbow rises until the hand ends its movement to the middle of body. The arm will be brought to the front and straightened.
Timing
Normally, while learning breaststroke or swim for long distance, the body glides in water after kicking and before pulling. This is to prevent energy lost. While gliding, the body should be straight no matter what speed it is. For competition the gliding can be shortened.
Breathing
The swimmer must breathe after each pulling. The head is raised by extending the neck after each pulling. The face must be above water surface before the hands straighten completely. The water level is around the chin area when taking a breath and forehead when blowing breath.
Some Whispers