While backstroke maintains the body in a streamlined position, with the limbs able to apply constant propulsive forces due to the arms alternating action and the continuous flutter action of the legs, it is not as fast or efficient as freestyle. Backstroke is swum with arms out to the side of the body, meaning a swimmer cannot pull directly under their body, resulting in not reaching full potential power.
Hi, I’m Gary Barclay, and I’m going to give you a couple of tips in regards to how you can swim backstroke fast. The first tip is to make sure that when you swim backstroke that you keep your fingers together. You don’t want them too tight, just nicely together like that, so that when you swim through the water you’re pulling with the whole of your hand here and your forearm. Secondly, when you enter the water, you enter little finger first and then press up and keep a high elbow. You can actually pull around the side with your arm and pull yourself forward.
Remember in swimming, you actually move in the direction of the back of your hand, so you want the back of your hand facing in the direction that you want to go. And the final tip in backstroke is to make sure that as you’re pulling under water that you actually accelerate. So as your hands are pulling through, that you get faster, that you pull through faster through the water. To swim backstroke fast you need to start with the correct technique.
Gary Barclay explains rotation of the shoulders and body in backstroke swimming. Hi, I’m Gary Barclay, and we’re going to have a look at one of the most common problems in backstroke. And that is the lack of rotation through the shoulders and through the body, through the axis of the body. So what happens […]
Gary Barclay talks about the correct hand entry in backstroke and what can happen if your hand does not enter in the correct position. Hi my name is Gary Barclay, and today we’re going to have a look at backstroke. We’re going to have a look at one of the most common problems in backstroke, […]
Gary Barclay explains the correct head position when swimming backstroke. Hi, I’m Gary Barclay and we’re having a look at backstroke, and in particular we’re having a look at the head position in backstroke. Now one of the most common problems in backstroke is when a swimmer has their head too high in the water. […]
QUESTION: Gary, Fantastic site, thanks for all your tips. Both my 10yr old boy and 5yr old girl practice fly using your stages technique. I have a question. My 10yr old boy wants to enter a 400IM at his County Championships in March 2014. He can swim a 200IM in 3:25 and 100IM in 1:28. […]
QUESTION: Hi Gary, My daughter is a good swimmer but has a problem with staying straight in backstroke. She tries to look as something above as a guide, but after a good dive and start she continually veers over near the lane rope. Do you have any suggestions please to help her. Thanks Kerry ANSWER: […]
Now I am going to disclose that I know Ian Pope quite well and in fact was his roomie at the Trials when he made his first Olympic Swim Team as a coach in 2000 for the Sydney Olympics. It was a very exciting time for Ian. I have admired Ian’s ability to work with […]
I have been asked a number of questions recently in regards to the new backstroke starting platform. Rumour has it that the new backstroke starting platforms are set to be used at a number of swim meets around the world in the next few months. FINA recently made this how-to video on how to set […]
QUESTION: Hi, my 13 yr old daughter is training for her first age nationals in the 100 back. She qualified in a time of 1.09.32 My husband and I have no swimming experience and feel a bit lost in this world. I know my daughter has done really well to get to here, but there […]
QUESTION: My daughter is 11 years old. She has been swimming competitively for three years. She recently started bobbing extremely doing her backstroke. (Her head goes under) I don`t know what suggestions to give her. I know it is slowing her down in her times. She is frustrated. Thank you Chantal ANSWER: Hi Chantal, Generally […]
QUESTION Hi Gary, My son is of 18yrs. His main stroke is backstroke.His 200m timing is 2m 27s,Since from last year he is unable to improve his time. His target is 2m 20s.What should be done? Please advice. Thanks Aditi ANSWER Hi Aditi, Backstroke swimmers need to do lots of backstroke. Too often, swimming programs […]
