Backstroke

Backstroke is one of the three swimming styles regulated by FINA, and the only regulated style swum on the back. This has the advantage of easy breathing, but the disadvantage of not seeing where the swimmer is heading to. It is also the only competition swimming style that starts in the water. The swimming style is similar to an upside down front crawl. Both backstroke and front crawl are long-axis strokes.

Competitions

There are three common distances swum in competitive backstroke swimming, both over either a long course (50m pool) or a short course (25m pool). Of course, other distances are also swum on occasions.

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• 50m Backstroke
• 100m Backstroke
• 200m Backstroke

Backstroke is also part of the medley over the following distances:

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• 100m Individual Medley (short 25m pool only)
• 200m Individual Medley
• 400m Individual Medley
• 4*100m Medley Relay

These are the official FINA rules. They apply to swimmers during official swimming competitions.

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• Prior to the starting signal, the swimmers shall line up in the water facing the starting end, with both hands holding the starting grips. The feet, including the toes, shall be under the surface of the water. Standing in or on the gutter or bending the toes over the lip of the gutter is prohibited.
• At the signal for starting and after turning the swimmer shall push off and swim upon his back throughout the race except when executing a turn as set forth in SW 6.4. The normal position on the back can include a roll movement of the body up to, but not including 90 degrees from horizontal. The position of the head is not relevant.
• Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race. It shall be permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn, at the finish and for a distance of not more than 15 meters after the start and each turn. By that point the head must have broken the surface.
• During the turn the shoulders may be turned over the vertical to the breast after which a continuous single arm pull or a continuous simultaneous double arm pull may be used to initiate the turn. Once the body has left the position on the back, any kick or arm pull must be part of the continuous turning action. The swimmer must have returned to the position on the back upon leaving the wall. When executing the turn there must be a touch of the wall with some part of the swimmer?s body.
• Upon the finish of the race the swimmer must touch the wall while on the back. The body may be submerged at the touch.