Swimming Scientifically Taught | Page 8

resume your regular breast stroke.
These turns should be practised by rolling on either side. The pupil may
also bend forward when on the back, as in standing up, and continue
with the breast stroke.

[Illustration: LOUIS C. DALTON]

NEW

PART II
ADVANCED STROKES
By
LOUIS C. DALTON
THE SIDE STROKES
The side stroke is used for long distance swimming and is easy to learn
on either side. The pupil should count the movements and be deliberate
while doing the strokes. Splashing and fast strokes always denote an
indifferent swimmer. Easy and graceful swimming can only be
acquired by taking slow strokes and keeping the hands under the
surface, thereby obviating all tendency of pushing the arms through the
air instead of the water. While practising these movements the head
must be kept down so 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.