2 Mistakes Swimmers Make With Breaststroke (and How to Fix Them)


We’ve all done it - or seen it done. A swimmer pulls hard with their arms in breaststroke, only to realise… they’re not getting very far for all that effort.


Hi, Mark here. Hope your week’s been a good one!

Let’s talk breaststroke arms. As swimming teachers, we know it’s the leg kick that delivers the real power. But many swimmers still rely too much on their arms to pull themselves through the water, and that’s where things go wrong.

🔍 Quick Breakdown of the Arm Pull Technique
The breaststroke arm movement can be split into three simple phases:

  • Catch – hands press out and “catch” the water
  • Propulsion – arms sweep to generate movement
  • Recovery – hands return under the chest, ready to glide

👉 Click here for a full breakdown of breaststroke arm technique.


Are These Common Mistakes Holding You (or Your Pupils) Back?

  1. Relying too much on the arms for propulsion
  2. Pulling too wide with the arms

When swimmers try to “muscle through” with a big arm pull, they break the streamline, create drag, and often slow down. Sound familiar?

Try This Drill:
Have swimmers walk slowly through shoulder-depth water. Get them to:

  • Pull their arms in small circles
  • Keep their hands in front
  • Pause momentarily in the glide position

🧠 It’s a simple fix that makes a big difference in feel and control.

👉 Click for more breaststroke drills to improve the full stroke


🧰 Need Teaching Resources?

📚 If you're planning lessons, I’ve got you covered:

  • Drills
  • Stroke techniques
  • Ready-made lesson plans
  • And more!

🎯 Explore Swimming Teacher Resources →

That's it for this week. Take care and stay safe.

Happy swimming!

Cheers

Mark

Swim Teach

ps - did someone forward this to you? Subscribe here.

Hi! I'm Mark, creator of Swim Teach

I've been teaching swimming for over 30 years and I built Swim Teach so that I can share all my knowledge, wisdom and experience from the thousands of swimming lessons I have had the pleasure of teaching. Take a look back through my previous newsletters and see what you missed.

Read more from Hi! I'm Mark, creator of Swim Teach
Ready-made swimming lesson plans

Are you striving to make every second count in your 30-minute swim lessons? Maximize your 30-minute swim lessons with expert planning! Hi, Mark here. I hope all is well with you. Are you striving to make every second count in your 30-minute swim lessons? A well-structured plan is the cornerstone of effective teaching, ensuring your students progress confidently and efficiently. Crafting the Perfect 30-Minute Lesson An impactful swim lesson encompasses several key components: 1. Lesson Type &...

How to Swim Front Crawl

Are you ready to transform your freestyle stroke into a smooth and efficient glide through the water? Dive into Freestyle: Master the Art of Effortless Swimming! Hi, Mark here. Hope all is well with you. Whether you’re a beginner eager to learn or a seasoned swimmer aiming to refine your technique, I’ve got you covered. Unlock the Secrets of Freestyle Swimming Freestyle, also known as front crawl, is celebrated for its speed and grace. To help you master this stroke, I’ve broken it down into...

water confidence swimming lesson plan

Whether you’re just starting out or teaching others, confidence in the water is everything. This week I’m sharing 5 essential skills that boost confidence — and a free lesson plan for teachers to help nervous swimmers thrive. Hi, Mark here. I hope that you’ve had a great week and all is well. I am starting the week off with some confidence boosting. This week, I am covering the basics of learning to swim that need to be tackled before fine-tuning any actual swimming technique. 5 Essential...