Backstrokers need to be on their side to pull effectively and thast...
Andrew Sheaff@AndrewKSheaff
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Feb 01, 2026
~1 min read
1
Backstrokers need to be on their side to pull effectively and thast creates a big problem.
They obviously can’t be on both sides at the same time, so they have to quickly shift sides to minimize the gap in propulsion between the two arm pulls.
They obviously can’t be on both sides at the same time, so they have to quickly shift sides to minimize the gap in propulsion between the two arm pulls.
2
The faster swimmers can switch to the other side, the faster they swim.
The arm recoveries are critical for making it happen.
The momentum of the arm swinging over the top helps swimmers quickly switch from the right to left and vice versa.
The arm recoveries are critical for making it happen.
The momentum of the arm swinging over the top helps swimmers quickly switch from the right to left and vice versa.
3
The faster the arms swing, and the more directly they swing, the more aggressively swimmers can switch sides.
As soon as one arm is done create propulsion the one arm can pick up right where it left off.
As soon as one arm is done create propulsion the one arm can pick up right where it left off.
4
Rather than trying to rotate the torso, letting the recoveries do the work is a great way for swimmers to create more speed for less effort.
5
For many swimmers, a flatter butterfly is a faster butterfly.
It allows swimmers to keep drag down and stroke rate up, all without sacrificing propulsion.
That adds up to more speed.
Here’s a simple set to improve this skill:
It allows swimmers to keep drag down and stroke rate up, all without sacrificing propulsion.
That adds up to more speed.
Here’s a simple set to improve this skill: