I can't seem to get a straight answer to a couple of basic breaststroke questions, despite checking dozens of sources.
What would be a typical, normal stroke rate (strokes per minute) for a novice breaststroker who's just interested in getting to the other end of the pool, not racing, to aim for? Novice level, please, NOT some world record race pace.
Also, I read a lot about "driving" or "moving" one's hips forward during the stroke. Is that the same motion and using the same muscles as doing a stomach crunch (although upside-down), or is it something else? Why is it done, in which part of the stroke is it done, and when is it undone? Which variants (flat, wave, recreational) is it for?
Alan
Former Member
Here's another quote (from swimcoachkacy.blogspot.ca/.../breaststroke.html): "Pull with the arms and drag the needle, and then kick and push the needle. The needle you pull is the legs with feet together, and the needle you push is the arms with hands together."
I wonder if seamstresses have a breaststroke analogy to help them sew!
Thanks, guys.
Alan
Agree. The anology is kick a needle (needle being your arms), pull a needle (needle being your legs). You want to prolong the leg recovery as long as possible through the insweep and recover the legs at the time of the shoot. Doing this minimizes the amount of time you are not streamlined.
Thanks for this. I think this post has helped me fix a longstanding timing issue. A bright spot in an otherwise dismal workout yesterday.
