Breaststroke Technique (Singapore Proficiency Award Standard)
- One arm stroke completely back to the legs during which the swimmer may be submerged
- A single Butterfly kick during the first arm stroke followed by a breaststroke kick
- From the start and throughout the race, the stroke cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg kick in that order.
- Head break surface while hand at the widest before turn inward
- Arms simultaneous and same plane
- Hands pushed forward
- Elbows under water
- Hand brought back on or under the water
- Hand not beyond hips
- Legs simultaneous and same plane without alternating
- Feet turned outwards
- No scissors, flutter or Butterfly kick
- Arms touch over, on or under water
- Arms touch simultaneously
Breaststroke Fina Rules 2009 -2013
SW 7.1 After the start and after each turn, the swimmer may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs during which the swimmer may be submerged. A single butterfly kick is permitted during the first arm stroke, followed by a breaststroke kick.
Interpretation:
The first arm stroke begins with the separation of the hands.
SW 7.2 From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and after each turn, the body shall be on the breast. It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time. From the start and throughout the race the stroke cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg kick in that order. All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous and on the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.
Interpretation:
A pause after the separation of the hands is not a violation of the rule.
SW 7.3 The hands shall be pushed forward together from the breast on, under, or over the water. The elbows shall be under water except for the final stroke before the turn, during the turn and for the final stroke at the finish. The hands shall be brought back on or under the surface of the water. The hands shall not be brought back beyond the hip line, except during the first stroke after the start and each turn.
SW 7.4 During each complete cycle, some part of the swimmer's head must break the surface of the water. The head must break the surface of the water before the hands turn inward at the widest part of the second stroke. All movements of the legs shall be simultaneous and on the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.
SW 7.5 The feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the kick. A scissors, flutter or downward butterfly kick is not permitted except as in SW 7.1. Breaking the surface of the water with the feet is allowed unless followed by a downward butterfly kick.
SW 7.6 At each turn and at the finish of the race, the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at, above, or below the water level. The head may be submerged after the last arm pull prior to the touch, provided it breaks the surface of the water at some point during the last complete or incomplete cycle preceding the touch.
