COMPONENTS OF
A SWIM MEET
Starts & Turns
The start is one of the most important components of a race. It is the time in the race when the swimmer is at their fastest speed. The start is very crucial in sprinted events; it can make or break a race.
Turns are also a very important part of a race. In a sprinted race, a turn could mean the difference between a qualifying time and last place.
Freestyle is the most common stroke of all of them. It is often called the ‘crawl’ stroke. There is no complex way to be disqualified. The swimmer can do whatever he or she wishes to go faster, as long as it is similar to the original. The swimmer rotates their arms forward, while giving a flutter kick. The turn is a flip turn, and the start is standard.
Butterfly, being probably one of the hardest strokes to swim, is the first stroke in an Individual Medley (IM). The swimmer does a "dolphin-like" kick with a hip thrusting movement, while repeatedly throwing the arms forward and bringing them back to the hips. To breathe, the swimmer extends their head forward upon the exit of the arms out of the water.
Backstroke, considered the ‘beginners’ stroke, is the second stroke performed in an Individual Medley. The stroke’s start is in the water, with a backwards bend/push off. The swimmer can breathe whenever he or she wishes, though many athletes keep a steady breathing rhythm. The turn can be a flip turn; only if there is more to swim. The backstroke finish is done by touching the wall, while on your back, stretched out. Because of being on the back, there are flags over the pool at the ends so that the swimmer can know when the wall is near.
[photogallery/swimback/real.htm]Breaststroke is called the "frog’ stroke." It is the hardest stroke to successfully complete correctly. It is performed by a "frog-like" kick, with a streamlined thrust with the arms, as they move in a "raindrop" circle. To breathe, the swimmer simply lifts their head to breathe. Breaststroke is the third stroke in an IM.
Relays
[photogallery/swimrelay/real.htm]Miscellaneous Photos at Events
[photogallery/swim/real.htm]Relaxing Between Events
[photogallery/swimfun/real.htm]