The Most Difficult Stroke for a Young Age, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the stroke you think is the most difficult!
Updated on May 9, 2024 06:26
Swimming instructors often debate which strokes are the most challenging for younger swimmers to master. By understanding these difficulties, parents and coaches can better support children in becoming proficient swimmers. A clear ranking based on community feedback can provide valuable insights and help focus training where it's most needed.
This list represents a collection of votes from users like you, who share their experiences and observations about swimming strokes. Each vote helps clarify which strokes pose the greatest challenge to the young learners, guiding instructors and guardians in tailoring their approaches effectively.
What Is the Most Difficult Stroke for a Young Age?
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132votes
Cpl. Jasper Schwartz · Public domainButterfly stroke
David ArmbrusterThe butterfly stroke is considered the most difficult stroke for swimmers of all ages due to its complex arm and leg movements, requiring significant upper body strength and coordination.The Butterfly stroke, also known as the 'fly', is a style of swimming that involves simultaneous movements of both arms and legs. It is considered one of the most difficult strokes. The swimmer propels themselves through the water by performing a dolphin-like motion, where the arms move in a windmill pattern and the legs perform a powerful kick.- Arm Movement: The arms move simultaneously in a windmill pattern, starting together above the head, and then they come out of the water at the hips during the recovery phase.
- Leg Movement: The legs perform a dolphin kick, where they move together in an undulating motion, similar to a dolphin’s tail.
- Breathing Technique: Breathing is typically done by lifting the head out of the water during the arm recovery phase.
- Body Position: The body is positioned horizontally, with the head aligned with the spine and the hips at the water surface.
- Kick Timing: The dolphin kick is executed during the second downbeat of the arm movement.
Butterfly stroke in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most difficult stroke in swimming
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230votesThe breaststroke requires strong leg muscles and coordination between the arms and legs, making it challenging for young swimmers.The Breaststroke is a swimming stroke that requires simultaneous movement of the arms and legs. It is known for its distinctive frog-like motion, with the arms and legs moving in a symmetrical pattern. The swimmer starts in a prone position, with the arms extended forward and the legs extended back. The arms then sweep in a wide circular motion outwards and back towards the chest, while the legs execute a dolphin kick, where the legs move in a simultaneous outward and then inward motion.
- Arm Movement: Sweeping circular motion
- Leg Movement: Dolphin kick
- Breathing: Inhale during arm pull, exhale during the kick
- Body Position: Head elevated, body parallel to the surface
- Arm Recovery: Above water
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324votesThe individual medley combines all four swimming strokes, making it a challenging race for young swimmers who may struggle with the technical aspects of each stroke.The Individual Medley is a swimming stroke that combines all four competitive swimming strokes into one continuous race. It requires swimmers to transition from one stroke to another in the following order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. The stroke is considered one of the most challenging and demanding events in competitive swimming, requiring swimmers to showcase versatility and mastery of multiple swimming techniques.
- Order of Strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle
- Distance: Generally swum as a 200-meter or 400-meter event
- Transitions: Swimmers must transition legally between each stroke at designated points
- Timing: The total time taken to complete all four strokes determines the winner
- Starting Style: The race can be started either from a dive or from a push off the wall
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410votesThe backstroke requires good body position and coordination between the arms and legs, which can be difficult for younger swimmers who are still developing their technique.The backstroke is a swimming stroke performed on the back, where the swimmer lies flat with the face upwards and arms outstretched. This stroke consists of an alternating motion of the arms while the legs perform a flutter kick.
- Body Position: Swimmer lies on their back with the face upwards.
- Arm Movement: Alternating movement of the arms with fingertips entering the water first.
- Leg Movement: Flutter kick performed by kicking the legs up and down.
- Breathing: Breathing can be done at any time during the stroke, keeping the face above the water.
- Stroke Rate: Typical stroke rate is around 60 strokes per minute.
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514votesAlthough freestyle is considered the simplest stroke, it still requires good technique and endurance, which can be challenging for young swimmers.The freestyle stroke, also known as front crawl, is a swimming stroke that is commonly regarded as the fastest and most efficient technique for swimming. It is characterized by the alternating arm movements combined with a flutter kick. The swimmer propels themselves through the water mainly on their stomach, with the face submerged, periodically turning the head to breathe. The freestyle stroke is highly versatile and can be used for various distances and swimming styles.
- Arm Movement: Alternating arm movements in a windmill motion, with one arm extending forward while the other arm recovers.
- Breathing Technique: The swimmer turns their head to the side during the recovery phase to inhale, and exhales underwater.
- Kick Technique: A flutter kick is performed, with quick and continuous movements of the legs.
- Body Position: The body is streamlined with a horizontal position, allowing for reduced drag in the water.
- Hand Entry: The hand enters the water in front of the head, extending the arm forward.
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615votesThe sidestroke is rarely used in competitive swimming but can be difficult for young swimmers to master due to its unique arm and leg movements.The sidestroke is a swimming stroke that is typically regarded as one of the most challenging strokes for young swimmers. It involves a combination of movements including the scissor kick, side arm pull, and body rotation.
- Arm Technique: One arm extends forward underwater while the other arm is extended backward. The arms pull and push the water in a scissor-like movement.
- Leg Technique: The legs perform a scissor kick with one leg extended forward while the other is extended backward. The legs then swap positions to continue the kicking motion.
- Body Position: The swimmer lies on their side, facing either to the left or right, with one arm extended in front of them and the other arm extended behind. The body rotates from side to side during the stroke.
- Breathing: Breathing is typically done by lifting the head to the side while inhaling, and then returning the head to the water while exhaling.
- Efficiency: The sidestroke is often practiced for long-distance swimming due to its inherent efficiency. It allows swimmers to conserve energy while maintaining a steady and comfortable pace.
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714votesThe trudgen stroke is a combination of freestyle and breaststroke and can be challenging for young swimmers to coordinate.The Trudgen is a swimming stroke that involves a combination of a front crawl and a breaststroke-like movement. It is considered one of the most difficult strokes for young swimmers to learn due to its unique arm and leg movements.
- Arm Movement: Simultaneous overhead stroke with a breaststroke-like pull
- Leg Movement: Alternate kicking motion, similar to breaststroke
- Breathing: Side breathing during the arm recovery phase
- Head Position: Neutral, facing forward
- Body Position: Slightly inclined, with the chest slightly elevated
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88votesThe Tarzan stroke is a fast freestyle stroke that requires good upper body strength and coordination. It can be difficult for young swimmers to maintain proper form and technique at high speeds.The 'Tarzan' swim stroke is an advanced swimming technique often considered one of the most difficult for young swimmers. It requires a high level of strength, skill, and coordination. In this stroke, the swimmer propels themselves forward with powerful arm and leg movements while maintaining a streamlined body position.
- Difficulty Level: High
- Arm Movements: Strong and forceful
- Leg Movements: Powerful kicks
- Body Position: Streamlined
- Breathing: Alternate-side breathing
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913votesThe medley relay requires four swimmers to each swim a different stroke in a specific order, making it challenging for young swimmers to coordinate and time their transitions.The Medley Relay is a swimming race that involves four different swimming strokes. Each swimmer on a team swims a different stroke in the following order: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle. This relay race showcases the versatility and skill of the swimmers as they demonstrate their proficiency in multiple strokes.
- Team Composition: Each team consists of four swimmers, with each swimmer assigned to a specific stroke.
- Strokes: The Medley Relay involves four different strokes in the following order: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle.
- Distance: The standard distance for each leg of the Medley Relay is 100 meters in long course events and 50 meters in short course events.
- Order: The backstroke leg is always swum first, followed by the breaststroke leg, then the butterfly leg, and finally the freestyle leg.
- Swim Starts: Each swimmer starts their leg from a flat start or a relay exchange, where the incoming swimmer touches the wall and the next swimmer leaves from the starting block or the water.
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108votesDistance freestyle events, such as the 800m or 1500m, require significant endurance and mental toughness, which can be challenging for young swimmers who may not have developed these skills yet.The Distance Freestyle is a swimming stroke primarily used in long-distance swimming competitions. It is characterized by swimmers continuously propelling themselves forward using a front crawl technique. The stroke requires a combination of strength, endurance, and efficient technique to maintain a consistent speed over long distances.
- Stroke Type: Front Crawl
- Arm Movement: Alternating arm pull through the water
- Breathing: Side breathing every few strokes
- Leg Movement: Flutter kick
- Body Position: Horizontal with a slight roll from side to side
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Ranking factors for difficult stroke
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Physical strength and enduranceSome strokes require more strength and endurance than others, which can be challenging for young swimmers who are still developing their muscle strength and stamina.
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Coordination and techniqueThe complexity of the stroke's movements and the level of coordination required to perform the stroke correctly can impact the difficulty level for young swimmers.
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Breath controlStrokes that require more frequent or precise breath control can be challenging for younger swimmers who are still learning to manage their breathing while swimming.
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Speed and efficiencySome strokes may be more difficult to perform at a faster pace or with greater efficiency, which can impact a swimmer's overall performance.
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Flexibility and mobilityCertain strokes may require more flexibility and mobility in specific joints, which can be difficult for younger swimmers who may not have fully developed these capacities yet.
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Adaptability and learning curveSome strokes may be more challenging for young swimmers to learn and master, as they may require adapting to new techniques and body positions that are unfamiliar to them.
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Psychological factorsFear, anxiety, or lack of confidence in performing a specific stroke can also impact the difficulty level for young swimmers.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult stroke for a young age. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or stroke is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1297 views
- 167 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each stroke once every 24 hours. The rank of each stroke is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
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More information on most difficult stroke for a young age
Swimming is an amazing sport that offers numerous benefits to individuals of all ages. However, mastering different swimming strokes can be a daunting task, especially for young swimmers. Each stroke has its unique set of challenges and requires a different set of skills. While some strokes may be easier to learn, others can be quite difficult, even for experienced swimmers.
When it comes to the most difficult stroke for a young age, there are a few factors to consider. For starters, the difficulty level depends on the individual's age, experience, and physical abilities. However, in general, the butterfly stroke is considered the most challenging stroke for young swimmers to master. This is because it requires a lot of strength, coordination, and endurance. The butterfly stroke involves a simultaneous arm pull and leg kick, which can be particularly challenging for younger swimmers who are still developing their motor skills.
Despite its difficulty, mastering the butterfly stroke can be incredibly rewarding. It can help young swimmers build strength, improve their technique and endurance, and boost their overall confidence in the water. With practice, dedication, and proper guidance from coaches and instructors, young swimmers can overcome the challenges of the butterfly stroke and become proficient in this challenging but rewarding stroke.
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