Rules for the Breaststroke in Swimming

Of all the swimming strokes used in Olympic or recreational competition, the breaststroke is among the most challenging. Besides its physical complexity, which requires swimmers to be well-practiced and physically fit, the breaststroke also requires swimmers to be aware of several important rules. Breaking these rules can lead to a penalty or disqualification.

  1. Position

    • To perform the breaststroke correctly, swimmers must remain face down at all times. Swimmers must also move their legs and arms at the same time and only in a horizontal plane (roughly parallel with the plane formed by the surface of the water).

      In the breaststroke, a swimmer must move both arms simultaneously. The swimmer's arms can't extend back past the hips during a stroke except for the first stroke of each lap. In addition, the swimmer's elbows must remain in contact with the water at all times, except during the last stroke of a lap as the swimmer reaches for the edge of the pool to perform a turn.

    Head

    • A breaststroke swimmer's head must break the surface of the water once per stroke. A stroke is defined as one complete cycle of the arms and legs.

    Turns

    • Upon reaching the end of a lane, a swimmer performing the breaststroke must touch the edge of the pool with both hands. At this time, the swimmer may make one arm stroke and one leg kick while fully submerged under water during the turn. After this kick, the swimmer must resume the normal breaststroke position and motion.

    Legs

    • The breaststroke relies on the legs as well as the arms. A swimmer may not push at the water with the tops of the feet. Instead, simultaneous kicks must use only the bottoms of the feet.

    General Rules

    • The breaststroke shares a number of general rules with other swimming strokes. While the number of laps and length of the pool vary by competition and level, swimmers must always remain within their lanes and never pull on the ropes that divide lanes, though contact with the ropes is allowed. Breaststroke swimmers may also never touch the bottom of the pool or leave the water completely, even during a turn.