The sidestroke is a
swimming stroke Human swimming typically consists of repeating a specific body motion or swimming stroke to propel that body forward. There are many kinds of strokes, each defining a different swimming style or crawl.
In high school, collegiate, and Olympic swimm ...
, so named because the swimmer lies on one's side with asymmetric arm and leg motion. It is helpful as a lifesaving technique and is often used for
long-distance swimming.
[Thomas, David G. ''Swimming: Steps to success'' p. 71]
/ref> The sidestroke allows the swimmer increased endurance because instead of working both arms and legs
A leg is a weight-bearing and locomotive anatomical structure, usually having a columnar shape. During locomotion, legs function as "extensible struts". The combination of movements at all joints can be modeled as a single, linear element ...
simultaneously in the same way, the side stroke uses them simultaneously but differently.[ A swimmer tired of exercising one side can turn over and use the other, the change of action helping the limbs to recover.][Fredrick Warne & Co. ''Modern Outdoor Amusements'' pp. 18-19]
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The hands act like oars, and do not waste any power by oblique action. In ordinary swimming on the right side, the left arm moves gently in the water, almost at rest.[ Then, when the used arm becomes tired, the swimmer turns on the other side, and the left arm works while the right arm rests.][
The legs move in opposite directions with legs bent, and straighten as they come together. The kicking motion is exaggerated and slow, opening the legs wide to provide more thrust rather than the small, fast movement of flutter kick.
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History
Sidestroke evolved in ancient times from swimmers who discovered that it was painful to swim breaststroke
Breaststroke is a swimming style in which the swimmer is on their chest and the torso does not rotate. It is the most popular recreational style due to the swimmer's head being out of the water a large portion of the time, and that it can be s ...
with the head above the water.[ The head naturally turned onto its side, which led to the shoulder dropping. The scissor kick became natural in this situation.][
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Modification
A modification of swimming on the side is the Trudgen stroke.Thomas, David G. ''Advanced swimming: steps to success'' p. 116
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See also
* Combat sidestroke, a variation of the side stroke that was developed by and taught to the United States Navy SEALs.
References
{{Swimming styles
Swimming styles