SwimmingFour Strokes, Four Different Rule Sets
Freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly differ in movement, underwater phases and wall contact.
Swimming
SwimmingStarts and Underwater Swimming: Connecting the First Metres
A strong start must carry smoothly through entry, underwater movement and the first surface stroke.
SwimmingTurns and Finishes: Understanding Every Wall
Approaching, turning, pushing off and touching home have different purposes within the same race.
SwimmingFrom 50m to 1500m: How Swimming Pace Changes
Distance changes the balance between immediate speed and sustained efficiency. Splits reveal more than an early lead.
SwimmingIndividual Medley and Medley Relay: Different Orders
Both combine four strokes, but their order and transitions are different.
SwimmingSwimming Relays: Connecting Four Performances
Leg assignments and legal exchanges help turn individual swimming into a team result.
SwimmingOpen Water Swimming: Beyond the Lane Lines
Navigation, group position and changing conditions add another layer to endurance swimming.
SwimmingMichael Phelps: Versatility Across the Pool
Phelps's individual and relay results show how several technical specialisms can support one extensive competitive programme.
SwimmingKatie Ledecky: Sustaining Speed Over Distance
The 2012 Olympic 800m freestyle title provides a historical starting point for studying Ledecky's sustained pace.
SwimmingIan Thorpe: A Freestyle Figure in Australian Swimming
Thorpe's Sydney and Athens results connect individual middle-distance swimming with major relay performances.