What are the breaststroke races, and what are the rules?
B · Beginner · The stroke · 1 of 6Breaststroke is swum on the breast over 50 m, 100 m and 200 m. Each cycle is one arm stroke followed by one kick, with both arms and both legs moving together. The head must break the surface in every cycle. Every turn and the finish need a touch with both hands at the same time.
How it works
- The distances: 50 m, 100 m and 200 m for men and for women.
- The start: a dive from the starting platform.
- On the breast: the body stays on the breast. Rolling onto the back is not allowed.
- The cycle: "one arm stroke and one leg kick in that order".
- Together: the two arms move at the same time and so do the two legs.
- The head: some part of it must break the surface in each cycle.
- After the start and each turn: one long arm pull back to the legs and one butterfly kick are allowed under water.
- The wall: both hands touch at the same time at every turn and at the finish.
- The winner: the fastest time, recorded to a hundredth of a second by touch panels on the wall.
Tricky cases
Can a breaststroker take two kicks to one arm stroke?
No. The cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg kick, in that order.
Can a breaststroker swim a whole length under water?
No. Some part of the head must break the surface in every stroke cycle.
Is a dolphin kick ever allowed in breaststroke?
Yes, once. A single butterfly kick is allowed after the start and after each turn, before the first breaststroke kick.
Why the rule exists
Breaststroke is the slowest stroke and the one with the most detailed rules, because small changes to the kick or the pull make it much faster. The rules fix the cycle so that every swimmer is swimming the same stroke.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | SW 1.2; SW 7 |
| World Championships in 25 m pools | The same three distances | SW 1.4 |
| Junior and other events | The programme is set in the same article for each championship | SW 1.5 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Two: Swimming Rules (in force as from February 2026), Articles 1.2 to 1.5 and 7. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).