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Why Triathletes Should Learn The Backstroke...

Sunday, 10 February 2013 00:10

By Sara McLarty (for triathlon.competitor.com)

The backstroke is easy to learn and helpful to triathletes for multiple reasons. It counteracts swimmer

2. Push hips toward the surface and maintain a steady up and down flutter kick. Keep feet just below the surface of the water. Do not rotate feet with the rest of body.

3. Hands exit the water thumb first and enter the water pinky first. This requires a slight wrist and shoulder rotation as a straight arm moves through the air.

4. Arms enter the water straight up from shoulders and do not cross the centerline overhead. Swimming backstroke in a straight line is difficult without following pool lines. Keep zigzags to a minimum with consistent arm placement.

5. The key to backstroke is good upper-body rotation with a motionless head. Try to roll your left shoulder to your chin as the right pinky enters the water and vice versa.

- Sara has been a pro triathlete for a long time and is arguably the best American female swimmer in the sport.