T STROKE

[Illustration: FIGURE 9]

The breast stroke has been handed down from an early Roman period. It is
the oldest of all strokes, but it is the hardest to learn properly, as
the head has to be supported clear of the water. Any part of the body
when held above water is dead weight, and as the head is all bone,
muscle and brains, it is the heaviest part. This is why, in using the
breast stroke, it is much harder to keep the mouth and nostrils above
water. The breast stroke is so universally identified with swimming that
every beginner wants to learn it. It is only on this account that I
teach the breast stroke.

[Illustration: FIGURE 10]

[Illustration: FIGURE 11]

[Illustration: FIGURE 12]

In order to make this stroke clear to beginners I have divided it into
four movements each, for the arms and legs. It is a good plan to
practise these movements first out of the water. Get the pupil to stand
behind, or by the side of, the instructor, and so follow the arm
movements. Let him start by having the palms of the hands together, just
below the chin, the elbows dropt down and within a few inches of each
other, as in Fig. 9. In the first movement shoot the arms straight
ahead, holding the hands together, as in Fig. 10. In the next movement
turn the hands till the palms are turned slightly out, with the thumbs
touching and pointed downward. In the third movement bring the
straightened out arms around in line with the shoulders, as in Fig. 11.
In the fourth movement bring the hands together till the palms touch,
the elbows being dropt, and the wrists touching the chest, as in Fig. 9.

When the pupil has become accustomed to using the arms, the leg
movements are taught, each leg separately. The heels are brought
together and the toes turned out. Then the left leg is drawn up to the
body, the knee turned out, as in Fig. 9. This leg movement is
simultaneous with the arm movement, as in Fig. 9. Then the leg is kicked
straight out sideways from the body and brought smartly back alongside
the other leg, as in Fig. 12. These two movements of the leg are
performed while making the one movement of the arm, as in Fig. 10. The
arm movements from Fig. 10 to Fig. 11 are accomplished while the legs
are stationary, as in Fig. 11. Then the left knee is drawn up, as in
Fig. 9, while the hands are brought back to the chest, as in the same
figure.

After a little practise with the left leg, the same movements are
practised with th