Swimming Scientifically Taught | Page 9

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. Because of improper breathing people who can not swim very well complain more about getting winded quickly, than they do of anything else.
THE DOUBLE OVER-ARM STROKE
The Double Over-Arm Stroke, while difficult to master, will not prove so for the student who has learned the English racing stroke. Learn the double over-arm to acquire form. For racing the Crawl will answer.
Arm Strokes.--Place the left arm at the left side, then lift it out of the water, bending the elbow and stretching it as far forward as possible; now draw the hand down through the water so it is swept to the side. The right arm should be at the right side in position to come forward perfectly rigid at third movement of left arm. There must be enough roll of the body to allow the right arm to come out of the water to insure proper breathing. Sweep the right arm down through the water as the left arm is raised out of the water.
Hold the