The Role of Streamlining in Breaststroke Speed
- SG Sink Or Swim
- Mar 23
- 4 min read
Breaststroke is often seen as a slow and technical stroke, but mastering streamlining can dramatically increase speed and efficiency. Unlike freestyle or backstroke, where continuous propulsion maintains momentum, breaststroke has a natural stop-start motion due to its glide phase.
The key to faster breaststroke is reducing drag and maximizing streamline position after every stroke and kick. This article explores how streamlining improves breaststroke speed, common mistakes, and the best drills to perfect your streamline.
1️⃣ Why Streamlining Matters in Breaststroke
Streamlining is the most hydrodynamic position in swimming, reducing water resistance and allowing you to carry momentum forward. Since breaststroke lacks continuous propulsion, a good streamline extends the glide phase and minimizes speed loss between strokes.
✅ Key Benefits of Streamlining in Breaststroke:
✔️ Reduces drag – Allows faster movement with less effort.
✔️ Maintains momentum – A tight streamline extends the glide phase after each kick.
✔️ Conserves energy – Less resistance means fewer strokes and less fatigue.
✔️ Enhances stroke efficiency – Helps swimmers maximize distance per stroke.
🔥 Example: Elite swimmers hold a tight, hydrodynamic streamline after each kick, allowing them to travel farther with less effort.
2️⃣ The Proper Breaststroke Streamline Position
A perfect breaststroke streamline starts immediately after the kick, allowing swimmers to glide effortlessly through the water.
✅ How to Achieve the Best Breaststroke Streamline
✔️ Head in Neutral Position – Look down, not forward, to reduce drag.
✔️ Arms Fully Extended – Hands stacked on top of each other, squeezing ears with biceps.
✔️ Body Straight and Aligned – Avoid arching your back or sinking your hips.
✔️ Legs Together & Toes Pointed – After the whip kick, bring legs together in a narrow position.
🔥 Tip: Hold the streamline for at least one second after each kick to maximize efficiency.
3️⃣ Common Streamlining Mistakes in Breaststroke
🚫 Mistake #1: Lifting the Head Too Early
Why it’s a problem: Increases drag and slows momentum.
Fix: Keep head down in streamline and only lift when breathing.
🚫 Mistake #2: Poor Arm Positioning
Why it’s a problem: Arms too wide increase resistance.
Fix: Keep arms extended and close together, fingertips pointed forward.
🚫 Mistake #3: Rushing into the Next Stroke
Why it’s a problem: Shortening the glide wastes energy.
Fix: Hold streamline for at least one second after each kick.
🚫 Mistake #4: Wide or Loose Legs After the Kick
Why it’s a problem: Causes drag and slows forward motion.
Fix: Snap legs together quickly after the kick for better streamlining.
4️⃣ Best Drills to Improve Streamlining in Breaststroke
🏊♂️ 1. Glide & Hold Drill
✅ Purpose: Improves streamline position and reinforces glide phase.
How to Do It:1️⃣ Push off the wall in a tight streamline.
2️⃣ Hold the position for as long as possible before starting the stroke.
3️⃣ Focus on keeping head down and arms extended.
🔥 Tip: Try to increase glide distance each time.
🏊♂️ 2. 2-Kick, 1-Stroke Drill
✅ Purpose: Reinforces streamline position after each kick.
How to Do It:1️⃣ Perform two breaststroke kicks before taking one arm stroke.
2️⃣ Focus on holding streamline after each kick.
3️⃣ Helps develop patience and glide awareness.
🔥 Tip: Great for fixing rushed strokes and improving stroke efficiency.
🏊♂️ 3. Breaststroke Pull & Glide Drill
✅ Purpose: Enhances arm extension and streamline posture.
How to Do It:1️⃣ Swim breaststroke arms only, but hold the glide position for 3 seconds before pulling again.
2️⃣ Ensures that arms stay fully extended before initiating the next stroke.
🔥 Tip: Helps correct rushed strokes and unnecessary movements.
🏊♂️ 4. Breaststroke Kick with a Board (Streamline Focus)
✅ Purpose: Strengthens kick efficiency while reinforcing body position.
How to Do It:1️⃣ Hold a kickboard with arms fully extended in streamline.
2️⃣ Perform breaststroke kicks while keeping the body straight.
3️⃣ Helps swimmers perfect streamline posture while training leg power.
🔥 Tip: Add ankle resistance bands to focus on a tighter kick and streamline hold.
🏊♂️ 5. Breaststroke Underwater Pullouts
✅ Purpose: Trains fast, effective streamlining off walls.
How to Do It:
1️⃣ Push off the wall in a tight streamline.
2️⃣ Perform one powerful underwater pullout, extending arms fully after the kick.
3️⃣ Helps improve speed and distance per push-off.
🔥 Tip: Try to increase distance covered per push-off over time.
5️⃣ How to Integrate Streamlining Drills into Training
🏊♂️ Sample Breaststroke Streamlining Workout (1,800m Total)
🔹 Warm-Up (300m)
100m freestyle (relaxed pace)
100m backstroke (focus on body position)
100m dolphin kick with streamline
🔹 Streamlining Drills (600m)
4 x 50m Glide & Hold Drill
4 x 50m 2-Kick, 1-Stroke Drill
4 x 50m Breaststroke Kick with Kickboard
🔹 Main Set (600m)
6 x 100m breaststroke (focusing on long glides and efficient streamline)
🔹 Cool Down (300m)
100m freestyle (easy pace)
100m breaststroke (relaxed strokes)
100m backstroke (for recovery)
🔥 Tip: Consistently track distance per stroke to measure efficiency gains.
6️⃣ Final Takeaways: Mastering Streamlining for Faster Breaststroke
✅ Hold Streamline Longer – Maximizes momentum and reduces fatigue.
✅ Perfect Your Body Position – Keep head down, arms extended, and legs together.
✅ Avoid Rushing Strokes – Let the glide phase do the work.
✅ Train with Drills – Use glide drills, pullouts, and streamline kick drills regularly.
✅ Measure Progress – Track distance per stroke to gauge efficiency.
By refining your streamline and maximizing glide efficiency, you can swim breaststroke faster while using less energy—turning a slow stroke into a powerful and competitive technique. 🏊♂️🔥
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