Swimming Scientifically Taught | Page 9

[Illustration: FIGURE 21]
When the left arm is brought forward and later down to the side, the
legs remain motionless (Fig. 21). For racing purposes, the arms may be
bent at the elbows.
THE SINGLE OVER-ARM STROKES
Pupils after mastering the side and trudgeon strokes take to this stroke
very quickly, because in reality it is a combination of both.
Right Single Over-Arm Stroke. Arm Strokes. Movement I.--Lie on the
right side, right arm drawn in toward the body, hand pointing forward,
left arm resting at the left side of body, palm out. Movement II.--Lift
the left arm out of the water and extend forward, but at arm's length,
away from the head, the right arm motionless. Movement III.--Sweep
the left arm sharply down to the side and extend the right arm straight
ahead. Leg Strokes. Movement I.--Bend both legs back from the knees

down, keeping the knees and ankles together. Movement II.--Place the
right leg back from the hip, and the left leg forward from the hip. Be
sure the legs are perfectly rigid.
Movement III.--Snap both straightened out legs sharply together, then
rest.
Combine with the Arms. Lie on right side. Movement I.--Hold the left
arm down to the side, palm out, right arm drawn in toward the body,
hand pointed forward, legs bent back from the knees down.
Movement II.--Lift the left arm out of the water, at the same time
spreading the legs apart, keeping the right arm motionless (Fig. 22).
Movement III.--This movement must be done sharply. Draw the left
arm down to the side, extending the right arm straight ahead, while
snapping the legs straight together as in Fig. 23.
[Illustration: FIGURE 22]
Left Single Over-Arm Stroke. Arm Strokes.--Lie on left side. Movement
I.--Place the right arm at right side of body, palm out, the left arm held
close to the side. Movement II.--Lift the right arm out of the water,
being careful to hold it as far away as possible to avoid splashing, the
left arm motionless.
Movement III.--Sweep the right arm sharply down to the right side, and
extend the left arm straight ahead. Leg Strokes. Movement I.--Bend the
legs back from the knees down, knees and ankles together. Movement
II.--Bring the right leg back from the hip, and extend the left forward
from the hip. Movement III.--Snap the straightened out legs sharply
together.
[Illustration: FIGURE 23]
Combine the Arms and Legs. Movement I.--Hold the right arm at full
length to right side, palm out; the left hand should be held well in
toward the body, pointing forward; bend both legs back from the knees
down, knees and ankles together. Movement II.--Lift the right arm out

of the water and spread the legs apart; while doing this movement the
left arm is motionless. Movement III.--Bring the right arm sharply
down to the right side, extending the left arm forward, and snapping the
legs quickly together.
Breathing.--Inhale through the mouth, at the moment when each arm is
performing the downward stroke on either side, as the mouth will then
be clear of the water. Exhale immediately the arm is extended forward.
Anybody who is ambidexterous will find it easier to learn the left single
over-arm stroke before the right.
THE ENGLISH RACING STROKE
[Illustration: FIGURE 24]
The English Racing Stroke is a great deal more difficult to learn than
any of the advanced strokes that we have reached so far, but once the
student is proficient, it is one of the prettiest strokes. My brother, Prof.
F.E. Dalton, swims this stroke faster than some swimmers do the crawl,
and in action he does it most gracefully (Fig. 24). The Arm Movements
should first be learned. Lie on the right side (but if the pupil prefers it
can be done equally as well on the left). Hold the left arm at the left
side. Then raise it out of the water, bending the elbow; the hand should
enter palm out, and about six inches below the surface, then extending
it as far forward as possible. Next sweep the left arm down to the side
sharply. Extend the right arm straight ahead, drawing it in toward the
body with a semi-circular scoop.
The leg movements are very difficult and a great deal of practise is
necessary before the pupil will be ready to combine with the arms.
The legs are spread apart and snapped together as in the side stroke, but
instead of stopping with this scissors kick make an extra small circle
kick.
Breathing.--Inhale by turning the head as the left arm is swept down to
the left side; exhale under water when the left arm is extended forward.

Pay great attention to breathing on each stroke, as this is a great deal
more essential than acquiring a little speed, if you wish to swim any
distance.