Breaststroke
World Aquatics · 2026Stroke cycle and underwater pullout · Surface and wall touches
Stroke cycle and underwater pullout
The normal cycle is an arm stroke followed by a leg kick, with both arms moving together and both legs moving together in their respective phases, and outward-turned feet during propulsion. After the start and each turn, a full arm pull back to the legs and a single butterfly kick before the first breaststroke kick are allowed. The head must surface before the hands turn inward at the widest part of the second arm stroke.
Surface and wall touches
The head must break the surface during each complete cycle. At turns and the finish, touch simultaneously with both hands separated, without stacking them; incidental finger contact is allowed. The final arm pull may be made without a following kick. After touching at a turn, rotate freely but be on the breast when the first arm stroke begins.
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