Techniques in swimming are strokes, starts and turns.
Strokes
In swimming there are four competitive strokes (Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Breast stroke and Butterfly stroke) being followed all over the world.
Starts
All four competitive strokes are to be started in the competition by using the technique known as start. The swimmers emphasis on the quickest technique, which allows him a stronger push off from the starting position.
The starting techniques, popular today, are:
(i) Grab start
(ii) Circular start
(iii) Racings start
(iv) Conventional start
(v) Tuck start.
The following sequence is followed;
(i) Position on the block
(ii) Take off
(iii) Flight (position in air)
(iv) Entry into the water
(v) Glide
(vi) First stroke.
However, backstroke uses almost a uniform technique, which does not have any special name and is known as backstroke start.
Turns
During the race, the swimmer must take a turn from the end of the wall to complete the full distance. The swimmers try to use a technique that is quicker and gives a strong push off from the wall within the permissible rules of the stroke. The various turns used by swimmers are:
(i) Simple turn
(ii) Throw away turn
(iii) Summer Sault turn
(iv) Flip turn
(v) Roll over turn
(vi) Breast stroke turn
(vii) Butterfly turn.
The following sequence is followed in the turn:
(i) Approach to the wall
(ii) Turn or touch
(iii) Push off
(iv) Glide
(v) First stroke.
Tactics
Swimming is an individual and cyclic sport. It is highly competitive with the application of science. It is getting transformed from an art to science. Now, the importance is given to strategy and tactics for completing and pacing the race. In order to achieve the best performance, a swimmer must learn to distribute the distance economically and thoughtfully throughout the race.
Tactics in swimming during different races can be categorised in three different phase —
(i) Sprint races
(ii) Middle distance races
(iii) Long distance races
Sprint races
The 50 m race or the sprint race depends on the start, maintaining the speed and a good finish.
Middle and Long distance races
In these races, the key word is to build endurance and speed. In middle and long distance races, the swimmer tries to prevent building up high oxygen debt. Swimming at a very fast pace will accumulate a high level of oxygen debt early in the race and will experience an immediate drop in speed. Swimmer may sometimes prefer to begin faster than an ideal pace and attempt to get out in front avoiding the choppy waters. Some swimmers like to swim the strategy races in relation to the opponent.
