Frog

The frog is an artistic style, the only one in which advancement is obtained by successive thrusts.
Compared to the other styles, the push phase for the arms is missing: the succession is therefore support, traction and recovery.
The position of the body is very inclined due to frontal breathing, which is favored by the lifting of the shoulders.
The legs have the main task of pushing, keeping the hammer foot.
Starting from the extended sliding position, the general coordination of the breaststroke swim begins with the movement of the arms.

Data sheet

Type of movement

Simultaneous and cyclical, both for the upper and lower limbs

Body position

Prone; in each cycle an "alternation of inclined and horizontal slide positions is determined; the moments of less hydrodynamic trim are due to:

- frontal breathing (reducing the respiratory acts, however, does not improve the attitude!)

- flexion of the thighs on the pelvis.

Upper limb movement:

1) propulsive phase 2) carryover phase

1) Propulsive phase
Only the traction is carried out, which also includes the support / grip phase

The thrust is missing, which is present during the first cycle, after the starting dive and in the first cycle, after the turn.In the underwater breaststroke, the stroke also includes the thrust.
The action of approaching the hands and arms to the midline, as well as the propulsion, facilitates a more hydrodynamic attitude

2) Carryover phase
The hands must be well aligned.
The elbows come together to avoid forming a braking "wedge" with the forearms (in this regard, supination of the hands can be performed).
The forward extension of the arms can be made more penetrating by a slight "plunge" forward.

Breathing

It is frontal and is aided by the shoulder lift, which avoids extending too far back on the head.
During the slide, an apnea moment must be respected, which determines a better buoyancy (the apnea time, of course, is related to the rhythm of the swim).

Lower limb movement:

one distinguishes a flexion and a push

1) Flexion
The leg flexes as far as it can on the thigh; the thigh flexes on the pelvis at an angle (referring to the vertical) of approximately 45 degrees (130 between thigh and pelvis), which allows:
- keep your feet under water at the right depth;
- do not advance the thighs too far, slowing the advancement;
- develop a sufficiently horizontal trajectory;
- do not alter coordination.
The feet are relaxed and in line with the legs; they must absolutely not be turned outwards.
The flexion movement must be quick, natural and relaxed

2) Thrust
It is an energetic movement of relaxation of the whole limb.
The feet, at the end of the flexion of the limbs, are flexed and rotated outwards.
The feet describe a flattened parabola trajectory and intervene from the beginning of the thrust up to the complete extension of the limb.
The useful surface in the thrust is constituted by:
- internal part of the sole of the foot;
- inside of the ankle;
- inner part of the leg (only in the first half of the action).

Coordination

From the lying position:

a) it begins with the movement of the arms;

b) progressively the shoulders are raised;

c) the hands approach the midline and at the same time the lower limbs are recalled;

d) on the push of the latter, the arms are extended forward, while the head is aligned with the arms;

e) on the slide, more or less long, the cycle ends.