Breaststroke glide drill
A brief pause after the kick helps separate propulsion, recovery into a long body line, and the start of the next cycle.
- Stroke
-
Breaststroke
- Goal
-
Coordination
- Level
-
Intermediate
How to do it
Swim easy breaststroke. After the kick and after the arms have returned in front, make a short pause in a long position, only long enough to feel the body line. Start the next pull before all forward speed is lost.
Key cues
- Pause after the kick is finished.
- Keep the hands forward and return the head into line.
- Keep the pause short and consistent.
- Work on timing, not maximum distance per cycle.
Common mistakes
- Waiting until nearly stopped.
- Holding the head high during the pause.
- Starting the pull before the kick is finished.
- Adding a deliberate breath hold to extend the glide.
Practice format
6 × 25 m with a brief pause each cycle and 15 to 20 s rest, then 2 × 50 m normal breaststroke with the same sense of length.