Backstroke Biomechanics: Keep it Simple

In backstroke, it starts with the head and body position. As the hand enters the water, is it directly in front of the shoulder? At the completion of the arm entry, does the hand submerge directly behind and below the shoulder?

Cecil M. Colwin, in his book, “Swimming Dynamics: Winning Techniques and Strategies” covered every aspect of the sport, including improving stroke dynamics. His drawings of baclstroke are clear.

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Cecil, a member of the Swimming Hall of Fame, was an internationally known competitive swim coach, educator, lecturer, researcher, author, cartoonist and illustrator. He wrote more than 100 articles and papers and was the author of numerous books on swimming. Cecil was a dynamic man. His life motto is best captured by Tennyson’s Ulysses: “To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.”