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Breaststroke pull

Swimming / Popular

Out-sweep, in-sweep and recovery for the breaststroke pull.

What coaches agree on

  • Catch the water with your whole forearm and hand oriented to press straight back, as if pulling over a barrel.
  • Start the pull patiently, then accelerate through the in-sweep to reach full speed at the finish.
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Common mistakes

  • Pulling too wide or letting the hands travel back past the hips, sweeping past the shoulders like a butterfly stroke, creates drag and can push you backward instead of forward.
  • Lifting the head to breathe on the out-sweep, before the in-sweep, creates drag on the face and stalls the pull.