Swimming Scientifically Taught | Page 8

as to be supported by the water.
Right Side.--Practise these movements on the floor. Arm Strokes.--The beginner extends the right arm until it straightens in front, keeping it in this position, thus making it easier to acquire balance. Place the left hand at the left side. Movement I.--Draw the left arm slowly up to the chest, palm out. Movement II.--Extend the left arm as far forward as possible.
Movement III.--Draw the left arm down to the side of the upper (left) leg, being careful not to bend the elbow. Leg Strokes. Movement I.--Bend both legs back together from the knees down. Movement II.--Extend the left leg backward from the hip as far as possible, and the right leg forward from the hip as far as possible.
[Illustration: FIGURE 17]
Movement III.--Snap the legs, which should then be perfectly straight, together. Now combine both Movements I. as in Fig. 17, then Movements II. as in Fig. 18, and Movements III. as in Fig. 19. After the pupil is more advanced he may use his right arm by extending it out from and bringing it back to the right side of the body.
Breathing.--Inhale as the left arm is swept alongside the body. Exhale when left arm is extended forward.
Left Side.--The same procedure as for the right side may be followed lying on the left side. This is important to learn as the pupil should swim equally well on either side. It will also help him to acquire good form. Arm Strokes. Movement I.--Draw the right arm forward close to the chest, palm out, elbow at the side. Movement II.--Extend the right arm forward as far as possible, keeping the hand about six inches below the surface. Movement III.--Sweep the right arm sharply down to the right side, then rest. The left arm is not used, but held straight in front to help balance the body. When the pupil is proficient the left arm may be extended out and brought back as on the right side.
[Illustration: FIGURE 18]
[Illustration: FIGURE 19]
Leg Strokes. Movement I.--Bend both legs back, from the knees down. Movement II.--Spread the legs as wide apart as possible, the right back from the hip and the left forward from the hip. Movement III.--Snap the straightened out legs together. Combine the Arm Movements with the Leg Movements. Movement I.--Draw the right arm close to the chest, palm out; bend both legs back, from the knees down. Movement II.--Extend the right arm forward and spread the legs wide apart. Movement III.--Sweep the right arm down to right side and snap the legs together, then rest while your body is being propelled through the water. Hold the head so the mouth is above the surface, and breathe as on the right side.
THE TRUDGEON STROKE
[Illustration: FIGURE 20]
This was one of the racing strokes before the advent of the Crawl, and was considered by some swimmers the fastest stroke. It is quite tiring and should only be used for short distances. A great many swimmers modify this stroke to suit themselves, but there is only one scientific way. The arms are held perfectly stiff, and lifted well above the water on every stroke. First practise with the arms alone. Lie on right side with the right arm extended forward at full length, left arm perfectly rigid at left side. Draw the right arm sharply down through the water to the right side, turning the body at the same time, lifting the left arm out of the water and extending it straight in front.
The legs should be drawn up, heels together, knees spread as the right arm starts to come forward (Fig. 20). Then spread the legs apart as the right arm is extended forward. Snap the legs together as the right arm is swept below the surface to the right thigh. These three leg movements must be done very quickly. The head rests on the water, the mouth just above the surface for breathing.
[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