Breaststroke Swim

Breaststroke Swim  #

Introduction  #

The Breaststroke Swim skill primarily develops Propulsion CompetencyPropulsion CompetencyPropulsion Competency is the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to travel through the water using the movement of limbs in a controlled and efficient manner. Physical abilities associated with this competency include being able to perform gross and fine motor control patterns necessary to swim using different techniques in more than one body position. Cognitive abilities include determining which body position and technique is best suited for the conditions and circumstances of the task at hand, and an awareness of energy expenditure to regulate pace or speed. and contributes to the development of Breath Control CompetencyBreath Control CompetencyBreath Control Competency is the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to breathe effectively in a controlled manner without using excessive energy, interfering with other movements, or compromising body position while in the water. Physical abilities associated with this competency include the physical exchange of air and keeping the body in a position at the surface so that the exchange of air can occur. Cognitive abilities include determining when to breathe and when to hold the breath. Affective abilities include responding to stimuli and situations in a calm manner with the face both above and below the surface of the water. . Breaststroke is a method of traveling through the water in a proneProneSituated on the front, or ventral, surface of the body with the face and chest downward. position (i.e., positioned on the front) and is considered a survival strokeSurvival strokeA swim stroke that, for less experienced individuals, can be performed for longer period of times due to less stringent breathing and/or timing patterns and can provide unique vision opportunities relative to another stroke. Breaststroke, sidestroke, and survival backstroke (a.k.a. elementary backstroke) are categorized as “survival strokes”. . It is characterized by the use of symmetrical arm actions and symmetrical leg actions which, when coordinated, alternate between a propulsive phase and a gliding phase. Swimming on the front, in general, provides visibility to avoid hazards, determine one’s bearings, and orient to safe locations. Of all the swim strokes, Breaststroke provides the best forward visibility and is often used in open water environments to raise one’s head above choppy water to breathe and survey their surroundings. It is classified as a resting strokeResting strokeA swim stroke which provides an opportunity to rest during the glide phase of the stroke cycle. Breaststroke, sidestroke, and survival backstroke (a.k.a. elementary backstroke) are categorized as “resting strokes”. and can be performed in a way that is relatively less strenuous and used to recuperate between higher intensity swims.

Description  #

The Breaststroke Swim skill is defined by the following body posturePostureThe particular way the body is held while doing an activity. Mobility specialists define posture as the way you position your body or arrange your limbs, such as “to stand up straight with your shoulders back and your chin up.” , arm formsFormThe visible shape or configuration of something. Mobility specialists define form as an arrangement of the elements in a composition; the way something (or someone) is shaped or arranged. , leg forms, breathing, and timing characteristics and features.

Fundamental Breaststroke Swim Description  #

Body

  1. Body positioned on front
  2. Shoulders at or near surface
  3. Head, neck, and spine in line

Arms

  1. Arms move symmetrically

Stroke cycle

  1. Start with arms straight and overhead, at or just under surface
  2. Press arms out until hands just past shoulder width
  3. Bend elbows as hands pull towards chest
  4. Bring hands together and finish pull with hands in front of the chest
  5. Return arms to straight overhead position

Legs

  1. Legs move symmetrically

Kick cycle

  1. Start with legs straight, together, and toes pointed
  2. Bend hips and knees to bring heels towards hips with knees slightly separated
  3. Flex ankles and turn toes out
  4. Extend hips and knees to press legs backward and together
  5. Finish with legs straight, together, and toes pointed

Breathing

  1. Forward travel not halted to breathe

Timing

  1. Perform one stroke cycle per kick cycle
  2. Finish stroke and kick cycles at about same time
  3. Pause and glide between cycles

Assessment  #

Scoring  #

The following scoring rubricScoring rubricA guide that includes rating scales and descriptions of one or more criteria used to evaluate the performance of a skill. lists the gradients of key requirements and deficiencies that provide an overall description of different competence levels. A single score is assigned based on the instructor’s judgment of the student’s performance.

Breaststroke Swim Scoring Rubric  #

1

Exhibits any of the following:

Distance

  • Swims less than 3 yards
  • Achieves distance primarily due to a push-off or a jump

Body

  • Swims mostly on back, on side, or under the surface
  • Keeps trunk angle, from shoulders to hips, more than 45 degrees between kicks

2

Performs all of the following:

Distance

  • Swims mostly on front for at least 3 yards

Body

  • Keeps shoulders at or near the surface
  • Keeps trunk angle, from shoulders to hips, 45 degrees or less between kicks

Arms/Legs

  • Uses mostly symmetrical arm and/or mostly symmetrical leg movements

Exhibits any of the following:

Body

  • Keeps trunk angle, from shoulders to hips, more than 30 degrees between kicks

Arms/Stroke

  • Does not use mostly symmetrical arm movements
  • Does not start and finish stroke with hands overhead
  • Does not bring hands to or past head level during pulls

Legs/Kick

  • Does not use mostly symmetrical leg movements
  • Does not bend and extend legs during kicks

3

Performs all of the following:

Distance

  • Swims mostly on front for at least 5 yards

Body

  • Keeps shoulders at or near the surface
  • Keeps trunk angle, from shoulders to hips, 30 degrees or less between kicks

Arms/Stroke

  • Uses mostly symmetrical arm movements
  • Starts and finishes stroke with hands overhead
  • Brings hands to or past head level during pulls

Legs/Kick

  • Uses mostly symmetrical leg movements
  • Bends hips and knees to bring heels towards hips to start kick cycles
  • Extends legs during kicks

Exhibits any of the following:

Arms/Stroke

  • Does not start and finish stroke with hands at or just under the surface
  • Does not move arms out before or during pulls
  • Does not brings hands to near or past chest level during pulls

Legs/Kick

  • Does not separate legs during kicks
  • Does not finish kicks with legs straight and together

Breathing/Timing

  • Does not breathe or halts forward travel to breathe
  • Does not use arms and legs at the same time

4

Performs all of the following:

Distance

  • Swims on front for 10 yards

Body

  • Keeps shoulders at or near the surface
  • Keeps trunk angle, from shoulders to hips, 30 degrees or less between kicks

Arms/Stroke

  • Uses mostly symmetrical arm movements
  • Starts and finishes stroke with hands overhead at or just under the surface
  • Moves arms out before or during pulls
  • Brings hands to near or past chest level during pulls

Legs/Kick

  • Uses mostly symmetrical leg movements
  • Bends hips and knees to bring heels towards hips to start kick cycles
  • Separates knees before or during leg extension
  • Finishes kick cycles with legs straight and together

Breathing/Timing

  • Breathes without halting forward travel
  • Overlaps stroke and kick cycles

5

Performs score of 4 plus the following:

Body

  • Keeps head, neck, and spine in line
  • Swims with face under the surface between breaths

Arms/Stroke

  • Starts pulls with arms straight overhead at or just under the surface
  • Separates arms to about shoulder width before starting pulls
  • Bends elbows as hands pull towards chest
  • Brings hands together and finishes pulls with hands near chest level
  • Straightens and reaches arms forward to return to overhead position
  • Keeps arms mostly under surface

Legs/Kick

  • Uses symmetrical leg movements
  • Separates knees to hip width and flexes ankles to turn toes out before extending legs
  • Finishes kicks with legs straight, together, and toes pointed
  • Holds legs straight and together between cycles

Breathing/Timing

  • Takes one breath per stroke cycle
  • Performs one stroke cycle per kick cycle
  • Finishes stroke cycle and kick cycle at about the same time
  • Pauses and glides between stroke cycles

6

Performs score of 5 plus the following:

Body

  • Keeps trunk angle, from shoulders to hips, 15 degrees or less between kicks

Legs/Kick

  • Separates knees to hip width as heels are brought closer to hips
  • Brings legs together and points toes as hips and knees finish extending

Breathing/Timing

  • Exhales below the surface
  • Lifts head to breath while arms are pulling and lowers head as arms return to overhead position or during glide
  • Presses backward with legs as arms return to straight overhead position