The benefits of swimming have been known for a long time. It develops endurance and almost all muscle groups, tempers the body, and promotes intensive work of the heart, lungs and blood vessels. Of course, the extent of all this depends on the swimming styles that a person chooses. They have been developed over the years. How many are there? And what are their features? In this article, we will share a detailed description and photo of swimming styles.
Breaststroke
In modern sport, four main methods are distinguished: breaststroke, crawl on the stomach, crawl on the back and butterfly stroke. Each of them differs not only in technology, but also in the speed of crossing the water surface.
So the breaststroke is a swimming style that resembles the movement of a frog. The head of the swimmer while holding above the surface of the water. However, some improvements to this technique allow periodic diving. Hands in the horizontal plane make spreading movements underwater. At the same time, the legs produce a kind of repulsion in the same plane. A variation of this style can be considered breaststroke under water.
This is perhaps the oldest swimming technique that provides slow movement. The first information about it dates back to 9 thousand BC in the form of cave paintings in the Egyptian "Cave of swimmers." According to scientists, the style was invented for the tactical movements of warriors. Its advantages include the ability to quietly, almost silently approach the enemy, while controlling the environment. In addition, the breaststroke economically consumes human energy. Thanks to this, you can overcome quite large distances.
Despite the widespread popularity and use, the breaststroke was included in the Olympic program only in 1904. Today it is the favorite technique of most vacationers at sea or in the pool.
Crawl
In contrast to the breaststroke, the crawl swimming style is the fastest in speed of movement through the water. Although from the English language the word crawl literally translates as "crawl". This technique involves swimming on your stomach. The swimmer makes wide strokes along the body with his right or left hand. At the same time, in a vertical surface (i.e., up and down), he swings legs. In this case, the head is immersed in water. Only for inhalation, at the same time as the hand passes above the water, it turns to the side.
An interesting story is the appearance of the rabbit. His idea belongs to the American Indians. However, when the British in the 15th century found out about him, they considered this swimming technique “barbaric”, as it creates a lot of noise and splashes. And only in the middle of the 19th century the crawl was first adopted at competitions in London. However, his imitation was not entirely accurate and required further development. It was committed by the Australian Cavilli brothers and later perfected by the American Charles Daniels.
The style of swimming crawl with a certain training (respiratory and power) allows you to overcome tens of kilometers. It is needed where movement speed is required. Therefore, it consumes a lot of energy. This is a mandatory technique that an athlete must own.
Crawl on the back
In this case, only the position of the body changes. And the way to move along the surface of the water remains the same. It can be called a “relaxed rabbit.” Although with the intensity of the strokes you can pick up a decent speed. The technique of style involves the position of the head above water. Therefore, the swimmer does not need to think about breathing. Rows are usually measured, without stress.
This swimming style, like the breaststroke, is economical in terms of energy consumption. Its disadvantages include the inability to review the environment. Therefore, crawling on your back is not recommended when crossing the water from one shore to another or for speed racing. It is convenient to use during long swims along the edge of the sea.
Butterfly
Another swimming style is butterfly stroke. It is also often called the “butterfly” or “dolphin”. If in the rabbit the strokes are performed alternately, then in this technique - simultaneously. Moreover, they resemble repulsive jerks with a forward movement, like a flap of a wing or a dolphin jump. The body of a swimmer is literally above the water surface. There are no clear rules regarding leg movements. Most often, swimmers hold them together and perform a kind of bottom-up kicks. In rare cases, athletes use the breaststroke technique. Butterfly breathing is rhythmic. Inhalation is carried out during the "jump" from the water.
Of course, to use such a technique, a person needs certain preparation and a significant supply of energy. The more intense the movements of the hands, the higher the speed.
Interestingly, the butterfly stroke style came about by improving the breaststroke. At different times, American swimmers from Iowa were engaged in its modification . So in 1934, David Armbruster changed the movement of his hands while breaststroke, having tried to push them forward and above the water. A year later, Jack Zig proposed to additionally use the beating with his feet in unison (like the movement of the tail). Over time, butterfly stroke became an independent technique. Athletes are currently allowed to use the breaststroke hybrid in competitions.
Other styles
A special group includes non-traditional swimming styles. There are more than a dozen of them. In this article we will talk about the three most popular. They are rarely used in professional sports and are more suitable for the training and experimentation of amateur swimmers or scuba divers.
Georgian style
This swimming style is also called Colchis Iberian. It does not require vigorous movements of the arms and legs. Rather, moving in this way resembles swimming dolphins underwater. The most active part of the body in this style is the pelvis. In this case, the legs are connected tightly together. They help maintain balance. And the hands are pressed to the body, not participating at all in the swimming process. Such a “wave-like” technique formed the basis of other styles. Among them: okribula, khashuruli, tahviya, kizikuri, etc.
The emergence of the Georgian style is associated with a legend. During the existence of Colchis and Iberia, military training included swimming with bound limbs. At first glance, it may seem bizarre. However, the style technique is no longer associated with physical skills, but with the psychological foundations of education. It is called to strengthen the spirit of a person who, facing the water element in a “constrained” position, must overcome his fear of death and save himself.
A great contribution to the revival of the Georgian style of swimming was made by marathon swimmer Henry Kuprashvili. He was the first in history to cross the Dardanelles with his hands and feet tied, breaking 12 km in 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Lazuri
This technique applies to sports. When performing it, the knees and big toes should be kept pressed to each other, and the heels should be parted apart. At the same time, the swimmers hold their hands on the sides, the hands are adjacent to the hips with the back side. Movement in the water begins with a sharp jerk of the legs from top to bottom and the subsequent raising of the pelvis. Athletes take a breath after the third wave of legs and pelvis, while, as in breaststroke, turning his head to the side.
This is a rather complicated swimming technique to master. She is an advanced form of Georgian style. In 2009, a championship in this style was officially opened in Tbilisi (Georgia).
Sueyijutsu
This is not just a Japanese swimming technique, but a real combat direction. It was invented in ancient times, when soldiers needed to be able to swim in armor and at the same time shoot arrows or write hieroglyphs on a wooden board. The exam was only for those Japanese who, after the swim, additional items remained dry.
The exact description of the suiijutsu swimming style is unknown. However, its development was based on three stages:
- Fumi-asi (or on the ability to walk in water);
- Inatobi (or on the ability to jump out of the water);
- Asi-garami (or fighting in water).
Conclusion
Photos of swimming styles and their description indicate that the use of a particular technique is due to the purpose and physical preparation of the swimmer. For professional training, crawl and butterfly stroke are suitable; for relaxing on the sea or in the pool, it is best to use a breaststroke and crawl on the back.
In sports terminology, there is the concept of free (or free) style. It involves the use of different techniques in one swim. Most often it is a combination of a rabbit (on the stomach and on the back) and breaststroke. Freestyle today is popular not only among amateur swimmers, but also among professionals. It requires the correct calculation of forces, respiratory rhythm and assessment of environmental conditions.
More complex styles (or non-traditional), as a rule, are focused on special (military) training of a person.