There’s a simple skill that is foundational for effective backstroke starts. Swimmers must be able to dive backward into the water. If they can’t perform a backward dive, standing in the gutter or from the side of the pool, they will always struggle. It’s about fear. Swimmers have to be comfortable throwing their body backwards, leading with their head, and entering the water in that position. If they’re uncomfortable doing so, it’s not going to magically happen in a much more difficult situation such as a start. While backstroke specific starting skills are well worth improving, ensuring swimmers can actually dive backward into the water is the first and most important step. Follow @andrewksheaff for more on the key skills in swimming, and how to improve them.

Just my personal hot take: Ohtani and Yamamoto could probably ace any ball sport. Sasaki, though? I can barely picture him playing anything else. Maybe backstroke. Or pole vault. In a good way. #FIFAWorldCup2026

Xu Jiayu still carrying Chinese Backstroke.

Doing the verbal backstroke...and failing.

🇨🇳2026年全国游泳冠军赛 Men's 100m Backstroke Heats 徐嘉余 52.74 王梓成 54.52 姜呈霖 54.57 陈泽奕 54.82 王谷开来 54.84 黄梓淳 55.05 费立纬 55.39

Hubert Kos Among Top 200 Backstroke/200 Butterfly Performers This Century (See List) - swimmingworldmagazine.com/ne…

With a Family and Full-Time Job, Ryan Murphy Chasing Return to Backstroke Elite in Time for Los Angeles Olympics - swimmingworldmagazine.com/ne…

There’s a simple skill that is foundational for effective backstroke starts. Swimmers must be able to dive backward into the water. If they can’t perform a backward dive, standing in the gutter or from the side of the pool, they will always struggle. It’s about fear. Swimmers have to be comfortable throwing their body backwards, leading with their head, and entering the water in that position. If they’re uncomfortable doing so, it’s not going to magically happen in a much more difficult situation such as a start. While backstroke specific starting skills are well worth improving, ensuring swimmers can actually dive backward into the water is the first and most important step. Follow @andrewksheaff for more on the key skills in swimming, and how to improve them.

I jump straight into the ocean and start doing the backstroke lolol

RT @PeterWainman: 5 swim styles. One body. Zero boredom ⚡🏊🏼 Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke, Butterfly water walking. How I keep tr…

Love that! Mixing it up with different strokes keeps things fresh and fun! 🏊‍♂️✨ Freestyle for speed, breaststroke for chill vibes, backstroke for a little sky gazing, and butterfly for that extra burn! @grok thought ?

Does he swim backstroke or freestyle through his dollars?

With a Family and Full-Time Job, Ryan Murphy Chasing Return to Backstroke Elite in Time for Los Angeles Olympics - swimmingworldmagazine.com/ne…

You do the backstroke with the sun in your eyes and tell me how straight of a line you swim in 😂

as a former competitive swimmer, the backstroke with the ceiling is going to suck

I am completely soaked in liberal tears. Might do a backstroke later.

A passive backstroke pull isn’t going to create much propulsion. Swimmers have to pick up the hand speed to maintain pressure on the water and create propulsion. If swimmers can focus on a patient setup and an aggressive finish, it usually gets the job done. Using some sort of resistance can be really helpful because swimmers can FEEL the pressure building on their arm. That reinforces an effective strategy and creates more awareness of what needs to happen. Add stroke counts and speed to the mix and they’ll get objective feedback as well, continuing to reinforce effective skills.

With a Family and Full-Time Job, Ryan Murphy Chasing Return to Backstroke Elite in Time for Los Angeles Olympics - swimmingworldmagazine.com/ne…