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HOW CHAMPIONS DO IT
Researched, produced, and prepared by Brent S. Rushall, Ph.D., R.Psy.

BACKSTROKE TEACHING AID #1
The following collage of sequences from some of the world's best backstrokers are presented as teaching aids in Dr. Rushall's Stroke Clinics. Each item is presented to show important features of the stroke that should be adapted to each individual's capabilities.
Krisztina Egerszegi at Barcelona
This demonstrates the attempt to immediately press backward. As soon as the hand is covered the wrist flexes and the elbow begins to bend. The upper arm medially rotates to get the equivalent of a crawl-stroke "elbows-up" position. Frame #11 shows the forearm/hand surface positioned to apply force backward. Frame #12 demonstrates upper arm adduction, which produces the energy for the propulsive force. In this stroke, and that of Martin Lopez-Zubero, there is no pressing down (supposedly to initiate an "s-shaped" pull) or outward press (that usually results from placing the hand in the water behind the head or even further across the body).

Stev Theloke (1998) in New York
This illustrates the shoulder-hip roll that is required of modern swimmers. The maximum amount of roll is achieved just before the mid-pull (when the pulling hand's thumb is closest to the water surface). It also shows, as do all the sequences, the head well back in the water. There just is no place for swimming backstroke with the head elevated.
Brad Bridgewater at Atlanta
This sequence shows two things. The first is the streamline of the body with the hips as high as the shoulders and the head well back and down in the water. The second is the wide deep position of the latter part of the pull which sets the arm up to perform a deep inward scull that accelerates the arm and hand to exit from the water. This latter pulling action has no characteristics in common with the traditionally taught "S-shaped" pull. It keeps the force application closer to being parallel with the direction of travel and requires a "thumb first" exit.

Martin Lopez-Zubero at Barcelona
In a manner similar to Krisztina Egerszegi, Frames #2 and #3 show the almost immediate positioning of the arm to apply force backward. As with Brad Bridgewater's sequence, the deep position of the pulling arm and the inward scull are obvious. Also, it is easier to see the thumb leading toward the arm's exit. Frame #1 also demonstrates the initial stroke length backward where the entering arm reaches directly down the pool, not across the body or behind the head.
All swimmers demonstrate a kick the drives backward and upward not solely upward.Backstroke teaching aid (picture)

KRISZTINA EGERSZEGI'S FULL STROKE AT 25 m OF HER 100 m BACKSTROKE GOLD MEDAL SWIM AT THE BARCELONA OLYMPIC GAMES 1992KRISZTINA EGERSZEGI'S FULL STROKE AT 65 m OF HER 100 m BACKSTROKE GOLD MEDAL SWIM AT THE BARCELON OLYMPIC GAMES 1992
Each frame is .1 second apart.

Notable Features
  • Frame #1: The left arm has entered the water with the wrist slightly flexed and the palm of the hand facing slightly down. The left shoulder is elevated to facilitate a very long stroke. Of particular importance is the finishing movement of the right hand. Instead of following the common descriptive practice of pushing down to the bottom of the pool to complete an "S-shaped" pull, the hand actually sculls inward while starting to move upward. Having the thumb pointing to the surface ("on top") facilitates this sculling movement. The right hand creates an inward force that counter-balances the entry and lateral force component of the left arm entry. It also continues to provide some propulsive force. The right leg has kicked slightly to counter-balance the vertical force component of the left arm entry.
  • Frame #2: This picture illustrates several important facets of backstroke. The left leg kicks to assist hip and shoulder rotation which has to occur to facilitate a good pulling movement with the left arm. Meanwhile, the right leg prepares to kick as the whole leg drops down. The left arm commences to bend at the elbow and flexion at the wrist is increased. Already at this short time after entry, the hand is positioned to create propulsive forces backward.

Perhaps the most strinking feature of Krisztina Egerszegi's stroke is the continuity of the propulsive phases. As the right arm completes its propulsive stage the left arm commences its propulsive force production. At these extreme positions the forces created are likely to be small. However, such forces need not be large to maintain a swimmer's momentum. The mimimal to non-existent inertial lag might be the most significant feature of this swimmer's technique. A similar phenomenon was also observed in Janet Evans' crawl stroke.

  • Frame #3: The shoulders and hips are rotated to at least 45 degrees while the left leg has completed a vigorous kick. The arm movement has all the characteristics of the "elbow up" position of good crawl stroke swimming. The right upper arm has medially rotated, the elbow has flexed, and the wrist has remained partly flexed. The hand has applied propulsive forces while the forearm is being positioned to add to propulsion. Adduction of the upper arm has commenced. The right leg flexes at the knee to prepare for a vigorous kick.
  • Frame #4: The hand/forearm surface of the left arm applies propulsive force almost directly backward (a very large drag force). Adduction of the upper arm continues. To counter-balance the tendency of this movement to roll the left shoulder upward, the right leg kicks vigorously. The hips have already commenced to rotate back from the left side, which is assisted also by a right leg kick. The left leg drops deeper.
  • Frame #5: Adduction of the upper arm is nearing its final beneficial stage. The shoulders are still rotated to support adduction while maintaining a good position for the arm/forearm surface to continue exerting a large propulsive drag force backward. The hips have rotated and are almost level.
  • Frame #6: Adduction is completed and the left arm begins to extend at the elbow. This could produce a downward force but to maintain propulsive efficiency, the hips continue to roll and the shoulders roll so that the extending arm can continue to push backward rather than down. The right leg is "sinking" to prepare for another kick.
  • Frame #7: The right arm has entered with the hand already positioned to create a backward propulsive force (the wrist is flexed and partially adducted). The left arm has completed its inward scull with a very vigorous movement (the swirl of bubbles obscures the exact position). The head is lowered to a deeper position than that held for the left-arm pull.
  • Frame #8: The right leg kick rotates the hips and shoulders to the right in a manner similar to that which occurred on the left. The left arm action is completed and the hand is extracted with the thumb leading. The elevated right shoulder is plainly visible and flexion at the elbow commences.
  • Frame #9. The left leg trails high "trimming" the hips and assisting their continued rotation. The upper arm is not medially rotated to the same extent as occurred with the left arm. This will result in a shorter length of force application and a deeper pull when compared to the left arm movement. Adduction has begun and propulsive force is created by the arm/forearm surface. The head starts to rise.
  • Frame #10: Adduction of the upper right arm is clearly demonstrated in this picture. The hand/forearm propulsive surface is virtually the same as in frame #10. The right leg drops down which causes the right hip and shoulder to continue to rotate to the right. The head continues to rise.
  • Frame #11: The contribution of adduction of the upper arm is almost completed. The right elbow begins to extend. The left leg kicks to stop both right hip and shoulder rotation and to initiate rotation back to the left.
  • Frame #12: Extension of the right elbow continues and the arm/forearm commences an inward sculling movement. The hips and shoulders are flat as the left arm is very close to entering the water.
  • Frame #13: This picture signals the completion of the stroke cycle and is very similar to that of frame #1. The left arm enters as the right arm continues to scull inward (note the thumb being pointed toward the surface) however, the sculling action is not as vigorous or pronounced as that displayed by the left arm. The depth of the right arm scull is more than that exhibited with the left arm and may be associated with the deeper pull. The left leg has dropped down and bends at the knee to prepare to kick.
  • Frame #14: The stroking cycle continues.
A striking feature of Krisztina Egerszegi's arm actions is their similarity to the mechanics of the crawl stroke actions of the top male swimmers shown in other exhibits. Her left-arm's re-positioning immediately after entry to create the earliest propulsive force possible (medial rotation of the upper arm, elbow and wrist flexion) from the longest entry position possible (elevated shoulder) is followed by adduction of the upper arm employing both the internal and external rotators of the shoulder. The propulsive surface is the arm/forearm combination. However, this action is not demonstrated with her right arm.

The latter part of the pull is where crawl and backstroke movements differ. The hand/forearm perform an inward sculling movement which is very different to the commonly coached "downward-push" that is supposed to produce the latter part of an S-shaped pull.

The roll of the shoulders and hips cancels out major vertical components in the arm movement patterns, thus facilitating a largely direct application of force backward.

The hip and shoulder rolls are assisted by kicks and by dropping the leg down on the turn-side. The roll of the body is continuous except for the change of direction stoppages on either side.

It is hard to explain the changing head position.

Krisztina Egerszegi's body position is quite level for the whole stroke even though the head appears to move vertically. As with all top swimmers who perform cyclic alternating strokes, the underwater movement patterns are different for each arm.
This sequence provides another perspective of Krisztina Egerszegi's stroke in the 100 m backstroke event, which she won easily, at the Barcelona Olympic Games. Comments in this evaluation should be considered along with those pertaining to her stroke at the 25 m mark. Each frame is .1 second apart.

Notable Features
  • Frame #1: The right arm entry is made while the left arm propulsive phase is in its latter stage. The right arm is not straight and has the wrist slightly adducted which accounts for the upper arm and hand breaking the water surface before the forearm. The hand position on contacting the water is close to being on the back but with the little finger being slightly lower than the thumb. The left arm propulsion is continued with the arm being extended and the hand, with the thumb on top, pushing back. The shoulders and hips are still slightly inclined to the left.
  • Frame #2: The right arm is straightened immediately upon entering the water. The hand is rolled to achieve a position where it will be able to apply force backward and slightly downward. The right leg prepares to kick to assist the hips and shoulders to roll to the left to better facilitate a direct press backward. The left arm is extended and its direct propulsive action almost completed. At this stage, the left arm would be slowing down as the elbow joint is near its full movement range.
  • Frame #3: The right leg kicks to roll the shoulders and hips to the right. The right wrist is rolled so that the hand is slightly beyond vertical. The right elbow is bending. The right upper-arm is being adducted. The slightly downward movement and hand orientation assist the shoulders to roll further. These actions are setting the arm to apply force backward with the hand/forearm surface. An unusual action occurs with the left hand that was not exhibited at 25 m. The hand is rotated to push down, possibly to create some force to facilitate shoulder/hip roll. At 25 m the hand performed an inward-sculling movement at this stage.
  • Frame #4: Adduction of the upper arm is continued with the hand/forearm propulsive surface being clearly exhibited. Throughout this early part of the pull, the elbow bends so that the propulsive surface can apply propulsion almost directly backward. If the elbow angle remained fixed, then the propulsive surface would "slide" to the side and have its potential to create relatively direct propulsive forces reduced. The right leg kick is completed which is in concert with maximum hip and shoulder roll to the right. The left leg is preparing to kick. The dropping of the leg in this preparatory movement will also assist hip rotation to the right.
  • Frame #5: The right leg kicks to counter-balance the vertical forces created by the recovering left arm. Without that movement the shoulders, and to a lesser extent the hips, would sink and reduce the body's streamline. The kick also stops rotation of the hips to the right and commences their roll to the left. Adduction of the right upper arm continues along with elbow bending. The movement path of the hand places the hand higher than in earlier stages of the pull. This should not to be confused with an S-shaped pull because the elbow and upper arm are being moved directly backward.
  • Frame #6: The hand/forearm is still applying force directly back. Adduction of the upper arm is nearing the end of its usefulness and the elbow and hand need to change to extension at the elbow to continue propulsion. The hips have continued to roll from the right and along with the shoulders are flat. The left leg dropping down in preparation for a kick will assist in continued hips and shoulder roll.
  • Frame #7: The right arm has entered the elbow extension phase but to maintain backward propulsive forces, the wrist is hyperextended. The right leg is lowered to prepare for a kick that will counter-balance the initial left arm pull and possibly, the arm recovery.
  • Frame #8: The left arm has broken the surface and immediately the hand is positioned (the wrist is both flexed and adducted) to exert a backward force. The left shoulder is elevated to facilitate the longest stroke possible. The right arm has vigorously sculled inward. The right shoulder has exited the water but the lower arm and hand are still covered. The head is lowered further into the water.
  • Frame #9: The right leg kicks moderately to offset the initial pulling and lateral forces of the left arm pull as well as counter-balance some of the vertical forces created by the right arm recovery. The elbow bends further. Adduction of the upper arm begins slowly. The right arm has exited the water.
  • Frame #10: The hand/forearm moves much faster than the elbow, which continues to bend. This is caused by medial rotation of the upper left arm, which is required to produce an "elbow-up" position. This allows the hand/forearm propulsive surface to apply force over a longer distance (from further in front of the head) than that achieved with the right arm. The shoulders and hips are at the maximum angle of rotation and have stopped in preparation to roll back to the left.
  • Frame #11: The upper right arm is adducted while the hand/forearm provide propulsive forces directly backward. The left leg is lowered in preparation to kick. The right leg continues its kicking movement to the surface. The inversion of the right foot would facilitate producing a lateral force to offset a lateral force component in the arm pull.
  • Frame #12: The very direct propulsive action of the left arm continues as the upper arm continues adduction. The right arm recovery nears vertical. The left leg is in the initial stages of its kick to counter-balance the vertical forces of the recovering arm.
  • Frame #13: Left arm adduction is nearly completed and the lower arm is beginning extension. The right leg is lowered to prepare to counter-balance the right arm early pull and to rotate the hips to the right in concert with the entry.
  • Frame #14: The left arm extends and the overall position is similar to that depicted in frame #1.
  • Frames #15-16: Movements are replicated once again. The left hand turns over while still deep and extended. It would seem that the inward sculling movement of the latter part of Krisztina Egerszegi's pull is fully accomplished with the right arm but terminated in the left arm when the right arm commences its propulsion.
The left arm's re-positioning immediately after entry to create the earliest propulsive force possible (medial rotation of the upper arm, elbow and wrist flexion) from the longest entry position possible (elevated shoulder) is followed by adduction of the upper arm employing both the internal and external rotators of the shoulder. The propulsive surface is the arm/forearm combination. This is a classic action that is not demonstrated fully with the right arm pull.

The latter part of the pull is worthy of attention. The hand/forearm perform an inward sculling movement which is very different to the commonly coached "downward-push" that is supposed to produce the latter part of an S-shaped pull. A complete inward scull is performed with the right arm but terminated early and underwater with the left arm.

The roll of the shoulders and hips cancels out major vertical components in the arm movement patterns, thus facilitating a largely direct application of a propulsive force backward.

The hip and shoulder rolls are assisted by kicks and by dropping the leg down on the turn-side. The roll of the body is continuous except for the change of direction stoppages on either side.

It is hard to explain the changing head position.

Krisztina Egerszegi's body position is quite level for the whole stroke even though the head appears to move vertically. As with all top swimmers who perform cyclic alternating strokes, the underwater movement patterns are different for each arm.
Krisztina Egerszegi at 25 m picture Krisztina Egerszegi at 65 m picture
Reference: Cappaert, J. M., & Rushall, B. S. (1994). Biomechanical analyses of champion swimmers. Spring Valley, CA: Sports Science Associates.
KRISZTINA EGERSZEGI'S FULL STROKE AT 65 m OF HER 200 m GOLD MEDAL SWIM AT THE ATLANTA OLYMPIC GAMES 1996 KRISZTINA EGERSZEGI'S FULL STROKE AT 120 m OF HER 200 m BACKSTROKE GOLD MEDAL RACE AT THE BARCELONA OLYMPIC GAMES 1992
Each frame is .1 second apart. This performance was one of the most dominant in women's swimming events at the Atlanta Olympic Games. Krisztina Egerszegi's time of 2:07.83 was more than four seconds ahead of second place. Many of the features displayed in this series of frames maintain the strengths and characteristics of the technique demonstrated in 1992 at the Barcelona Olympic Games.

Notable Features

  • Frame #1: The right arm enters and the left leg kicks to counter-balance the vertical force component of the entry. The swimmer's position is noticeably streamlined. The left arm is nearing completion of its long push back. Bubbles following the left hand do not allow one to determine if the hand inward sculls or pushes back and down.
  • Frame #2: The right arm has entered, the left leg has kicked, and the left arm is fully extended back as that arm's propulsive phase is completed. The right leg prepares to kick.
  • Frame #3: Propulsion with the right arm begins as the right hand is rolled over, the elbow bends, and some medial rotation of the upper arm occurs. The right leg kicks which assists hip and shoulder rotation as well as counter-balancing forces created with the left arm. The left arm is stopped as it changes direction to exit the water. The fingers and thumb of the left hand can be seen to be facing the pool bottom. That means the hand movement at the end of the pull pushed to the bottom of the pool. The left shoulder is raised noticeably, a common symptom of pushing down with the hand.
  • Frame #4: The right arm presses backward as the upper arm is adducted. It follows a slightly downward path due to further rolling of the right shoulder and because it pivots in the shoulder joint (adduction). The left arm has exited the water vigorously. The right leg completes its kick to counter-balance the vertical component of the exiting left arm. The left leg prepares to kick.
  • Frame #5: Adduction of the upper right arm continues while further bending at the elbow is initiated. The left leg kicks to counter-balance the tendency of the bending right arm to drag the body more to the right. The right leg prepares to kick. To this stage, Krisztina Egerszegi's streamline position has been exemplary and is led by a deep firm head position.
  • Frame #6: Right arm propulsion continues with most of the force generated by upper arm adduction. The left leg kick is completed. The right leg is lowered preparatory to kicking as the recovering left arm approaches entry.
  • Frame #7: Adduction of the right upper arm is almost completed and extension at the elbow commences. The right hand starts downward as the lower arm rotates in the elbow joint as part of extension and partial supination. The right leg prepares to kick as the recovering left arm is close to the water.
  • Frame #8: Propulsion with the right arm continues. Hips and shoulders rotate as the upper part of the left arm enters the water and the right leg kicks. The left leg drops down prepartory to kicking.
  • Frame #9. The left leg kicks to assist hip roll to the left. The right arm is fully extended and low. It is set to commence extraction by sculling inward. The left arm is fully extended. The head rises slightly.
  • Frame #10: The inward sculling movement of the right hand can be seen as the thumb leads and the hand is faced slightly backward. This will promote propulsion with the right arm to the moment it exits the water. The left arm has immediately started to bend at the elbow while the hand starts to be flexed so that it will face backward. The right leg kicks to counter-balance the left arm entry. The head is still higher than normal.
  • Frame #11: Left arm propulsion starts very early and well in front of the swimmer: the upper arm is medially rotated, the elbow is bent, and the hand is angled slightly past vertical. The right leg kick is completed and the left leg is dropped down prepartory to kicking. The hips and shoulders continue to rotate to the left. The right arm has exited. The head is lowered deeper.
  • Frame #12: The left leg kicks and the hips/shoulders continue to rotate. The left arm movement exhibits b adduction of the upper arm while the hand/forearm is maintained as the propulsive surface. The hand is pitched at an angle that will contribute to hip/shoulder rotation. The right leg prepares to kick. The head has returned to its streamline depth.
  • Frame #13: The right leg kicks vigorously as the right arm is at the peak of its recovery height. Left arm propulsion continues mainly as adduction of the upper arm. Forces created are primarily horizontal and overwhelmingly of a "drag force" character. Body streamline is maintained. The left leg is already low and positioned to kick.
  • Frame #14: As left arm propulsion continues, medial rotation and extension at the elbow commence as adduction is nearly completed. The left leg commences to kick as it counter-balances the right arm that is nearing entry.
  • Frame #15: A position almost similar to frame #1 is achieved and the stroke cycle recommences.
This series provides one further perspective of Krisztina Egerszegi's backstroke technique. The previous two analyses of different stages of her 100 m Gold Medal race at Barcelona should be reviewed before studying this set of action-still frames. This analysis is briefer than the previous two so that superfluous repetition will be avoided. Each frame is .1 second apart.

Notable Features
  • Frames #1-4: The left arm enters the water in frame #1. Of particular importance to this series is the movement of the right hand and arm. Instead of pushing down to the bottom to "finish" an S-shaped pull, the arm sweeps inward and upward with the hand turned almost vertically with the thumb on top to effect an inward sculling action. This movement is done vigorously and produces a small propulsive force. The action is similar to that of Jeff Rouse and Martin Lopez-Zubero (Cappaert & Rushall, 1994).
  • Frames #3-6: The early "grab" of the water with the left hand which is followed by re-positioning to an "elbow-up" position produces propulsive forces with the hand/forearm surface (frame #5).
  • Frames #8-11: The left arm stroke finish is a "traditional" movement with the hand pushing down, rather than generating propulsive backward force. In frame #10 the hand is stopped as it changes direction so that a rapid vertical "ripping" movement extracts it from the water. The resulting assistance that this downward-push gives to rolling the shoulders and elevating the left shoulder can be seen in frame #10.
  • Frame #12: The failure of the right arm to achieve an "elbow-up" position is demonstrated. This position should be contrasted with the position of the left arm in frame #5.
  • Frames #9-14: The position of the right hand relative to the forearm is one of an adducted angle. This should be compared to the straight alignment of the left hand and forearm (frame #7). It is possible that this hand angle is associated with the less than desirable elbow position.
The characteristics of the other sequences of Krisztina Egerszegi's swimming are evidenced here. The different movement patterns of each arm, the role of the kick to produce hip and shoulder rotation and to offset lateral and vertical force components created by the arm movement can be seen. Her head is deeper and flatter in the left arm stroke than during the right arm stroke.

Krisztina Egerszegi's stroking pattern is consistent between her 100 m and 200 m swimming performances.

Krisztina Egerszegi 1996
Krisztina Egerszegi in 200 m

Reference: Cappaert, J. M., & Rushall, B. S. (1994). Biomechanical analyses of champion swimmers. Spring Valley, CA: Sports Science Associates.

More pictures: [1] [2]

Egerszegi Krisztina
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