Swim styles

Swim styles:
In competitive swimming, four major styles have been established. They are Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke, Butterfly and Individual medley. 

Butterfly or fly

Butterfly or fly: the course must be completed entirely in the butterfly style, in which the swimmer brings both hands over their head close to the water, breathing forward, "Dolphin kicking" with both feet together in sequence, two kicks per arm stroke. All end walls must be touched with two hands, and the swimmer will be disqualified if his/her arms do not clear the water at the same time. 

Backstroke back

Backstroke back: competitors must swim in the backstroke style, which is similar to the front crawl, except on your back. Kicking by alternating both feet, pulling each arm one at a time, and looking straight up. At the end walls, flip turns are permitted (the swimmer is to turn on to his/her front before performing the turn), and a two-hand touch is not necessary. 

Breaststroke or breast

Breaststroke or breast: competitors must swim in the breaststroke style, where the swimmer kicks legs out (much like a frog, but more whip like, it is important to keep the kick narrorw), scoops the water in towards the chest with his or her hands and then thrusts the hands out in front just before the kick is repeated. One underwater "pull-out" is permitted for the start and after every end wall, with, in order: streamline glide, one fully extended pull, one dolphin kick (must be timed precisely with pull), one breaststroke kick, and all while not breathing. The two hands must touch the wall simultaneously at every turn. 


Freestyle of free: competitors are free to use any stroke they wish. Most select the front crawl, as it is both the fastest and most efficient. The front crawl is a stroke where the swimmer breathes to the side, kicks by alternating both legs, and pulls with each arm at different times. Flip/tumble turns are legal. Variants include free relays, in which four team members each swim an equal distance of freestyle; when one member touches the end wall, the next can dive off the block.

Freestyle of free

Individual medley or IM: each swimmer must complete one quarter of the full distance in each of the three competition styles (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke) and one part in free style. Open turns are required in the switch from one style to another, but flip turns or bucket turns can be made during backstroke and freestyle. Each part must be completed in its style before moving on to the next style. Variations include medley relays, in which four team members each swim one part (in the order backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and free).