Backstroke

Backstroke, also called back crawl, is one of the four main swimming styles used in competitive events overseen by FINA. It is special because it is the only style swum on the back. This makes breathing easy, but it means swimmers cannot see where they are going. The start of a backstroke race is also different from the other swimming styles.

Backstroke looks like an upside-down version of the front crawl or freestyle. Both backstroke and front crawl are called long-axis strokes, meaning the body moves smoothly along the length of the pool. In individual medley races, backstroke is the second style used, and in medley relays, it is the first style swum.

History

Backstroke is a very old way of swimming that became well-known because of Harry Hebner. It was the second swimming style used in competitions, after the front crawl. The first time backstroke was raced in the Olympics was during the 1900 Paris Olympics men's 200 meter event.

Technique

In backstroke, the swimmer lies flat on their back with arms and legs stretched out. The arms move in a special way to help the swimmer go forward. One arm moves underwater while the other moves above the water. This helps push the swimmer ahead.

The legs also move up and down, which helps keep the swimmer steady and adds to the speed. Breathing is easier in this style because the swimmer’s face stays above the water.

The start of a backstroke race is special because it is the only race where swimmers start from the water. They push off from the wall and swim underwater for a short distance before coming up for air. When turning at the end of the pool, swimmers flip over to touch the wall and then push off again. They must finish the race lying on their back.

Competitions

There are three common distances swum in competitive backstroke swimming, and they can be done in either a long course (50 m pool) or a short course (25 m pool). In the United States, they also use short-course yards (25-yard pool).

The distances are:

• 50 m backstroke
• 100 m backstroke
• 200 m backstroke

Backstroke is also part of the medley for these distances:

• 100 m individual medley (short course 25 m pool only)
• 200 m individual medley
• 400 m individual medley
• 4 × 100 m medley relay

Here are some important rules for backstroke races:

• Swimmers must line up in the water facing the starting end before the race starts.
• Swimmers must swim on their back the whole race, except when turning.
• Swimmers must keep part of their body above the water at all times, except during turns and for a short distance after starting or turning.
• During turns, swimmers must touch the wall with some part of their body.
• At the end of the race, swimmers must touch the wall while still on their back.

Olympic and world long-course champions in backstroke

Men

Women