Most important phase in swimming???

Its really impossible to say that one aspect contributes the most to swimming because it depends on the level of the swimmer and what the event is. The one which creates the most propulsion is clearly the catch and then subsequently the pull, because once you catch a lot of water, it is pretty easy to move it back, but catching that water is what is difficult. After your arms can bring you up to a certain speed, it is much more worthwhile to learn to apply that force smarter, that is, cut through the water with shoulder rotation and streamline. Depending on the event, I think the kick has different importance, Cullen Jones couldn't kick like Laure Manadou and expect do do nearly as well, just like it is impossible to meet a good breaststroker who can't kick. So all in all, it is impossible to say if one aspect is the most important, that is a question for individual swimmers based on their certain skills.

Its really impossible to say that one aspect contributes the most to swimming because it depends on the level of the swimmer and what the event is. The one which creates the most propulsion is clearly the catch and then subsequently the pull, because once you catch a lot of water, it is pretty easy to move it back, but catching that water is what is difficult. After your arms can bring you up to a certain speed, it is much more worthwhile to learn to apply that force smarter, that is, cut through the water with shoulder rotation and streamline. Depending on the event, I think the kick has different importance, Cullen Jones couldn't kick like Laure Manadou and expect do do nearly as well, just like it is impossible to meet a good breaststroker who can't kick. So all in all, it is impossible to say if one aspect is the most important, that is a question for individual swimmers based on their certain skills.