body	kick	pull	breathe	timing

body	kick	pull	breathe	timing

Backstroke Arms

Backstroke arms provide the power and drive when swimming on the back, so correct technique is a must.  But which technique works best for you?  

There are two possible arm actions for backstroke:  

• The straight arm pull - easier to learn and used in more recreational swimming.
• The bent arm pull - a tricky technique and is faster due to its greater propulsive power.

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HOW TO SWIM BACKSTROKE EBOOK:  everything you need to master breaststroke swimming stroke. 20 easy drills that focus on each part of backstroke technique. From body position to breathing and timing. Decades of teaching experience all packaged into 1 easy file. Download to your device and master backstroke TODAY! (click here for a preview)

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Backstroke Arms Demonstration

FREE EBOOK:  all of the technique tips here can be found in my 'Backstroke Technique' book, along with a couple of bonus drills to help you perfect some essential parts of the stroke.

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Straight Arm Pull

Entry

The arm should be straight and as inline with the shoulder as possible.  Hand should be turned with palm facing outwards and little finger entering the water first.

Propulsive phase

The arm sweeps through the water in a semi-circle, pulling with force just under the water surface, pulling to the outside of the thigh.

Recovery phase

The thumb or the back of the hand should exit the water first.  The shoulders roll again with the shoulder of the recovering arm rolling upwards.

The arm rotates through 180 degrees over the shoulder and the palm is turned outwards during recovery to ensure that the hand enters the water little finger first.

Bent Arm Pull

This version of backstroke arm action is used more by competitive swimmers.  As the arm pulls through to completion, the overall path should follow the shape of the letter S.

Entry

The entry is the same as the straight arm pull, with the little finger entering first, the palm facing out and the arm close to the shoulder line.

Downward sweep

The palm should always face the direction of travel. 

The shoulders roll and the elbow bends slightly as the arm sweeps downwards and outwards.

Upwards sweep

As the hand sweeps inline with the shoulder, the palm changes pitch to sweep upwards and inwards.

The elbow should then bend to 9o degrees and point to the pool floor.

Second Downward sweep

The arm action then sweeps inwards towards the thigh and the palm faces downwards.

The bent arm action is completed with the arm fully extended and the hand pushing downwards to counter balance the shoulder roll.

Recovery

The thumb or the back of the hand should exit the water first.

The shoulders roll again with the shoulder of the recovering arm rolling upwards.

The arm rotates through 180 degrees over the shoulder and the palm is turned outwards during recovery to ensure that the hand enters the water little finger first.

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Common Mistakes You Could Be Making

Two common faults cause backstroke arms to become weak and the overall stroke inefficient.  Firstly the upper arm must brush past the ear and the edge of the hand must enter the water in line with the shoulder.  If the hand enters the water wide of the shoulder line then the arm pull with be incomplete and lack power.  

Secondly it is very common to perform one arm pull at a time.  In other words one arm completes a full arm pull cycle before the second arm begins its arm cycle.  The arm pulls for back stroke should be continuous where one arm begins to pull as the other arm begins to recover.

Practicing the arm technique whilst holding a float on the chest is a good way of ensuring the hand is entering inline with the shoulder and that the arm pull is complete.  Once this has been mastered then the swimmer can practice the full stroke ensuring the arms are performing continuous cycles.

Click here for more backstroke exercises.

Related Backstroke Pages

Body Position

Legs

Arms

Breathing

Timing