Mistakes in Backstroke Swimming Technique

Genadijus Sokolovas, Ph.D.www.globsport.orginfo@globsport.org

Typical Mistakes in Backstroke Technique

• Underwater Kick• Body Position/ Rotation• Beginning of the Stroke• Middle of the Stroke• Finish of the Stroke• Kicking Technique

Underwater Kick

• Soft body position• High head position• Kicking from knees• Moving hips and knees above the body line• Strong up-kick • Moving arms and head

Underwater Kick

Backstroke Videos

Body Position/ Rotation

• Body isn’t horizontal• Late rotation at the beginning of the stroke• Driving the stroke from shoulders and arms• Keeping body soft and relaxed• Soft connection between body and legs

Body Position/ Rotation

Body Position/ Rotation

Backstroke Videos

Beginning of the Stroke

• Too close to the head arm entry• Relaxed arm entry• Late beginning of the stroke• Negative angle between shoulders and arms• Pressing arm down• Keeping arm deep

Beginning of the Stroke

Beginning of the Stroke

Backstroke Videos

Middle of the Stroke

• Swimming w/ straight arms• Moving fingertips up• Bending elbow too much• S-shape hand pathway• Too deep hand/elbow position• Connection between core and arms

Middle of the Stroke

Middle of the Stroke

Backstroke Videos

Finish of the Stroke

• Deceleration and the end of the stroke• Pointing palm and fingertips down• Pointing palm inside• Finishing the stroke deep

Finish of the Stroke

Finish of the Stroke

Backstroke Videos

Kicking Technique

• Kicking from knees• Kicking at large amplitude• Low kicking power• Crossing legs• Stop kicking at certain phases

Kicking

Kicking

Backstroke Videos