11 easy breaststroke drills for young swimmers

Are you a breaststroker? Better yet, are you not a breaststroker looking to improve your technique? If so, you can consider trying these breaststroke drills that specifically focus on areas of your stroke.

These drills will help you work on your stroke as a whole and improve your technique. You will then be faster at the stroke, while also improving on other techniques that can help you in other strokes as well.

Your swim coach will always guide you with these drills and know what is best for you.

Breaststroke drills for young swimmers

These are the breaststroke drills that I have been practicing with my swim coach all these years.

Breastroke is unlike any other stroke in its body movement. It requires you to breathe every stroke, and the movement is similar to butterfly. At the same time, it is the only stroke where your feet must move apart from one another and does not contain any semblance to flutter kick. This makes it a difficult stroke to master and perfect since it is so different from other swimming strokes.

Listed below are some common drills that can help you improve your stroke. If you know where you lack in the stroke, the explanations will help you realize whether you should use these in your practice. 

Here are some drills that can help improve your breaststroke technique:

Kick on Your Back

While on your back, keep your arms in a streamline position. Start the breaststroke kick, making sure that your legs do not come out of the water. This drill helps strengthen your leg muscles while also promoting good body position. This is one of the easiest breaststroke drills and can also be done during cool down.

Cobra Drill

In this drill, push your arms forward like how a cobra would strike. This drill helps you build strength in your lunge and improves speed in the forward motion. This drill is a lot of fun, but it gets tiring very quickly. While doing this drill, you want to focus on your thrust, and ensure that it stays consistent. 

Breaststroke Arms with Flutter Kick

While you do breaststroke arm action, kick with a flutter kick. This will help you isolate your arm action, and improve your body coordination. It is important to lunge without the added help from your feet and make sure to do this drill intermittently. 

Breaststroke Arms with Fly kick

This is similar to the previous drill, except that you must perform a dolphin kick instead of a flutter kick. This will help you perfect the diving forward motion in your breaststroke and generate a good position. Breaststroke has similar hip movements to that of butterfly, so this will help you perfect that body movement. This is a very important drill. 

Breaststroke Pull with a Kickboard

This is a very simple breaststroke kick drill but very effective. Perform single-arm breaststroke while kicking normally. With the other stationary arm, keep your arm straight while holding the kickboard. This drill helps improve body position while also improving arm technique. It is a good breaststroke drill for beginners.

Breaststroke One-Arm Drill

Swim breaststroke using only one arm while the other arm remains extended in front. You can try this if you have mastered the kickboard drill. This will help you with arm coordination as well as symmetry. By working on each individual arm, you can improve your overall arm power. This is also a good stroke if you are struggling with maintaining balance in the forward thrust motion. 

6-Count Glide Drill

After each breaststroke cycle, count to 6 while maintaining a streamline position This will help you perfect your glide, which is very important in gaining distance through your stroke. If you feel you are not moving much during 6 counts, start from 4 and then move your way up to 6. 

Catch-Up Clap Drill

Start each stroke with your arms extended forward and touch your hands together before initiating the pull, almost like you’re clapping underwater. This drill promotes a longer glide and better arm extension. It will improve your body position and your gliding streamline. 

2-Down, 1-Up Drill

Perform two breaststroke kicks and then one arm action. This will help with your body coordination and timing. In order to perfect this stroke it is important to do it with moderate speed and perfect technique. It will improve your overall body position. 

Head-Up Breaststroke

This is similar to normal breaststroke, except that your head must remain above the water for the cycle. This will improve your head position during the actual stroke. During breaststroke, your head has to remain high above the water, and this drill will help you perfect that. 

Distance Per Stroke Drill

This can become a fun and relaxing drill if you are good at gliding. While you swim breaststroke, try to glide as much as you can and cover as much distance as possible before you start to remain stationary. This will increase the power in your stroke as well as increase your gliding ability and streamline. This is personally my favorite drill to do, as it allows me to focus on the stroke and also the drill, and it isnt too tiring. 

Remember to practice these drills in a controlled manner. Focus on your technique more than your speed. The idea is to improve by working on the basics, so speed is not necessary. Work with a coach or an instructor to help you realize where you lack, and work on individual practice. Consistency and practice in these drills will help you refine your breaststroke technique and will enhance your overall performance.