Front crawl Facts for Kids

The front crawl, often just called the 'crawl', is a very popular swimming stroke. It is known as the fastest way to swim, which is why it's almost always used in freestyle swimming races. This powerful stroke helps swimmers move through the water with great speed and efficiency.

It is sometimes known as the American or Australian crawl. This is because swimmers from both continents helped to develop and improve this stroke over time.

What is the Front Crawl?
- How to do the Front Crawl
- Why is it so Fast?
History of the Front Crawl
- Modern Development
Front Crawl in Races
- Flip Turns
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What is the Front Crawl?

The front crawl is a swimming stroke where you lie on your stomach in the water. Your arms move in a continuous, alternating motion, pulling the water. At the same time, your legs perform a flutter kick. This means they move up and down quickly and continuously.

How to do the Front Crawl

To swim the front crawl effectively, you need to coordinate your arms, legs, and breathing. Each part works together to create forward movement.

Arm Movement

Your arms move like a windmill. One arm reaches forward and pulls the water back under your body. As it finishes the pull, the other arm begins its reach forward. This creates a smooth, continuous motion. Your hand enters the water with your fingers first, then you pull the water back towards your hip.

Leg Movement

Your legs do a flutter kick. This means they kick up and down from your hips. The kick should be small and fast, helping to keep your body balanced and adding to your speed. It's like your legs are fluttering behind you.

Breathing Technique

Breathing during the front crawl is usually done by turning your head to the side. You turn your head just enough to get a breath of air, usually when one arm is pulling through the water. Then you turn your face back into the water to exhale. This keeps your body streamlined and moving forward.

Why is it so Fast?

The front crawl is fast because it creates very little drag in the water. Your body stays mostly flat and streamlined. The continuous arm and leg movements provide constant propulsion. This means you are always pushing yourself forward. The coordination of all these parts makes it a very efficient and powerful stroke.

History of the Front Crawl

The front crawl developed from older swimming styles. People have been swimming for thousands of years. Early forms of this stroke were seen in ancient cultures.

Modern Development

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, swimmers from America and Australia refined the stroke. They experimented with different arm and leg actions. They also worked on breathing techniques. This led to the modern front crawl we see today. It quickly became the standard for competitive swimming.

Front Crawl in Races

The front crawl is the stroke used in all freestyle swimming events. This is because the rules of freestyle allow swimmers to use any stroke they wish. Since the front crawl is the fastest, it is always chosen by competitive swimmers.

Flip Turns

In races, swimmers often use a "flip turn" at the end of each lap. This is a quick somersault in the water. It allows them to push off the wall with their feet. This helps them maintain their speed and momentum. It is a key skill for competitive front crawl swimmers.