Arm Movements

Freestyle arm cycle (catch → pull → push → recovery)

• Catch: Hand enters water in line with shoulder, fingers slightly apart.
• Pull: Bend elbow underwater, pull hand down and back toward the chest.
• Push: Extend arm past the hip to finish the stroke.
• Recovery: Lift elbow high, hand relaxed, swing arm forward over water.

Backstroke arm cycle

• One arm enters the water as the other exits.
• Entry with little finger first, arm straight.
• Pull straight down with slight bend at elbow, past the hip.
• Recovery: Arm comes out thumb-first, rotates to re-enter pinky-first.

Breaststroke arm sweep (outward → inward → glide)

• Arms start together in front.
• Sweep outward and slightly downward to shoulder width.
• Pull hands inward under the chest, forming a heart shape.
• Glide forward with arms extended and body streamlined.

Butterfly arm recovery and pull

• Both arms move together — wide and powerful.
• Pull down and outward, forming a keyhole pattern under the body.
• Recover both arms over the water in a circular motion.
• Requires coordination with dolphin kick and breathing rhythm.

Timing arm strokes with breathing

• Freestyle: Inhale as one arm recovers, exhale underwater.
• Breaststroke: Breathe during arm pull, glide before next stroke.
• Backstroke: Breathe naturally as face stays out of water.
• Butterfly: Inhale during pull phase, exhale during recovery.