The breaststroke can be a tricky stroke to master, but once the steps are coordinated correctly it can be a very leisurely way to swim.
Step One
Place yourself laterally in the water with your arms extended straight in front of you and your legs in back of you.
Step Two
Push your arms apart so that they create a diagonal with your body. Make sure your palms are facing out and your elbows are straight.
Step Three
While completing step 3, lift your head, neck, and upper chest out of the water to breathe. Do not remove your hands from the water.
Step Four
Bending your knees, bring your feet towards your bottom. Make a circular motion with your feet until they meet with your legs fully extended once again. Complete this step as fast as possible.
Step Five
Do not take 2 strokes with 1 breath. This WILL give you automatic disqualification. If you want to take your breath every other stroke, then you have to lift your head up and put it back down. If you don’t and just do 2 strokes without lifting up your head, you will be disqualified, so make sure that you at least lift up your head. Also, when you take a breath, do not look up. Instead, look down at the water. With every stroke of your hands and arms, it will take your head up automatically so don’t move your head, as it will waste your energy. When you are almost finished, touch the shore with both hands at the same time, or else you will be disqualified.