Modalities of Swimming

There are many modalities of swimming,distinguished mainly by the swimming strokes including the following:

• Butterfly or fly: the course must be completed entirely in the butterfly style, in which the swimmer brings his or her arms near full extension and releases at the waist. As the swimmer's arms begin to take a pull, the head brought up to take a breath. As the swimmer releases the water past his or her hips, he or she brings his or her arms up and out into the recovery while the head goes back down. "Dolphin kicking" (undulating) with both feet together in sequence with two kicks per arm stroke. Usually there is a kick while the hands are at full extension and then one at the recovery when the hands are at their hips. All end walls must be touched with two hands, and the swimmer will be disqualified if his/her arms do not clear the water at the same time, or if the dolphin kick is not simultaneous. Typical distances include 50, 100, 200 meters or yards. Novice swimmers may compete in 25 meter or yard butterfly races.

• Backstroke or back: competitors must swim in the [backstroke] style, which is similar to the [front crawl], except on the back. Kicking is done by alternating both feet continuously. The arms pull one at a time in a windmill motion on the side of the body. At the end walls, [flip turn]s are permitted (the swimmer is to turn onto his/her front before performing the freestyle [flip turn]), and a two-hand touch is not necessary. Typical distances include 50, 100,or 200 meters/yards, depending on the pool. Novice swimmers may compete in 25 meter or yard backstroke races.