Breaststroke - Carlos Almeida

Important Note to the Viewer

LESSONS: 36 VIDEOS

Underwater Breaststroke

In a fitting finish to what will be the first series of Carlos Almeida videos, we show a favorite drill by many breaststrokers... Underwater Breaststroke. The solid and peaceful nature of the water down deep, allows you to really feel the ride of the extended stroke. This drill will also show you if you're pulling back too far with your pull, or creating too much resistance with the recovery of the kick. The reality is also that it's very quiet down there, and you can't hear the coach yelling! ;)

Legs Underwater

Carlos demonstrates his breaststroke as we focus on his legs from underwater. Watch how his feet slide forward, following the legs as they're drawn up by the hips. The feet side forward, and higher than the knees during the initiation of the recovery. This keeps them from creating any additional resistance. You'll also notice that he turns the bottoms of his feet inward, toward each other, on the finish of the kick. This gets him a good finish of the kick, and then he briefly holds the feet together to clean up the back of the bodyline.

Legs Above

Carlos demonstrates his breaststroke as we focus on his legs and kick. You can see that he has a fairly narrow kick as his knees are just a bit wider than his shoulders. What you really want to look for is how high in the kick his feet are both pointed directly to the side of the pool. This foot position allows him to launch himself further forward on each kick.

Hips Underwater

Carlos demonstrates his breaststroke as we focus on his hips from underwater. In this clip, we can really see the hips snapping forward to set up the kick. Watch for the draw in a straight line forward. The hips don't drop, but rise during extension, and then are drawn back in to line with the rest of the body when they're drawn forward.

Hips Above

Carlos demonstrates his breaststroke as we focus on his hips from above water. What we really look for in breaststroke is the swimmers ability to draw the hips forward to set up the kick. Watch the draw, or snap of the hips moving forward BEFORE the legs start to recover for the kick.

Shoulders / Torso Underwater

Carlos demonstrates his breaststroke as we focus on his shoulders and torso. The faster he goes, the more horizontal, or parallel to the surface he remains. Staying careful to not allow his body to dive down too deep, but his chest still becomes the deepest part of his stroke. His shoulders achieve a more vertical orientation during the breath, which draws the spine and hips forward to set up the kick.

Shoulders / Torso Above

Carlos demonstrates his breaststroke as we focus on his shoulders and torso from above. This also shows how he lifts his head and shoulders during the breath, which then draws his spine and hips forward to set up the kick. We can again see that the elbows barely come back passed the shoulders on the pull.

Head Above - Carlos

Carlos demonstrates his breaststroke and we focus on the head position. In this super slow motion clip, watch the position of his eyes as he comes up, and how fast his hands get back out front for the extension. The hands are neither completely above, or below the surface, but split the surface of the water during the recovery.

Head Underwater

Carlos demonstrates his breaststroke and we focus on the head from underwater. Carlos carries his head a bit higher than many swimmers, but his eyes are still looking at the bottom during extension. You'll get a good sense of how he draws his hips forward during the lift of the head to breath.

Head Above

Carlos demonstrates his breaststroke and we focus on the head. Here you can see how Carlos leads to air by lifting the head and shoulders. You'll also notice that his elbows only come back to his shoulders. His eyes follow his hands forward and down into extension.

Head Above

Carlos demonstrates his breaststroke and we focus on the head. Watch how he lifts his head as he comes up for the breath. He doesn't keep it down, or inline with his spine. When he lifts his head, you'll be able to see the hips being drawn forward to set up the kick. He also lays his head down between his arms just as the arms reach extension. The head follows the arms down, it does not lead.

Hands Underwater

Carlos demonstrates his breaststroke and we focus on the hands from underwater. Watch how he extends the arms completely on every stroke. You'll also get a great sense of the hand speed on the insweep of his recovery.