The sidestroke is a swimming stroke , so named because the swimmer lies on one's side with asymmetric arm and leg motion. It is helpful as a lifesaving technique and is often used for long-distance swimming . The sidestroke allows the swimmer increased endurance because instead of working both arms and legs simultaneously in the same way, the side stroke uses them simultaneously but differently. A swimmer tired of exercising one side can turn over and use the other, the change of action helping the limbs to recover.
5-521: The trudgen is a swimming stroke sometimes known as the racing stroke , or the East Indian stroke . It is named after the English swimmer John Trudgen (1852–1902) and evolved out of sidestroke . One swims mostly upon one side, making an overhand movement, lifting the arms alternately out of the water. When the left arm is above the head, the legs spread apart for a kick; as the left arm comes down
10-415: Is now universally acknowledged as the superior method and young swimmers do well to practice it accordingly. Sidestroke evolved in ancient times from swimmers who discovered that it was painful to swim breaststroke with the head above the water. The head naturally turned onto its side, which led to the shoulder dropping. The scissor kick became natural in this situation. A modification of swimming on
15-408: The hand is coming back and just as the elbow passes the face. The trudgen developed into the front crawl . Sidestroke The hands act like oars , and do not waste any power by oblique action. In ordinary swimming on the right side, the left arm moves gently in the water , almost at rest. Then, when the used arm becomes tired, the swimmer turns on the other side, and the left arm works while
20-405: The legs extend and are then brought together with a sharp scissor kick . The right arm is now brought forward over the water, and as it comes down the left arm is extended again. The scissor kick comes every second stroke; it involves spreading the legs, then bringing them together with a sudden "snap" movement. The swimmer's face is underwater most of the time; the only chance to breathe is when
25-428: The right arm rests. The legs move in opposite directions with legs bent, and straighten as they come together. The kicking motion is exaggerated and slow, opening the legs wide to provide more thrust rather than the small, fast movement of flutter kick. Until within the last few years, it was generally assumed that breast or belly swimming was the swiftest process, but this opinion has proved fallacious. The sidestroke
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