Sidestroke

The sidestroke is a swimming stroke, so named because the swimmer lies on one's side with asymmetric arm and leg motion. It is helpful as a lifesaving technique and is often used for long-distance swimming. The sidestroke allows the swimmer increased endurance because instead of working both arms and legs simultaneously in the same way, the side stroke uses them simultaneously but differently.

A swimmer tired of exercising one side can turn over and use the other, the change of action helping the limbs to recover.

Back to Strokes & Technique →

Source: Wikipedia · Image: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

ISWIMBAND

Swim faster and safer — free calculators for swim pace, SWOLF efficiency, lap distance, calorie burn, and interval sets, plus pool-to-yard conversions and plain-English guides to stroke technique, training, wearables, and water safety.

Get new guides by emailOccasional emails. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

InformationAbout Contact Privacy Policy Terms of Service Disclaimer Affiliate Disclosure Cookie Policy

Every species, image, fact, and figure is drawn from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, used under public-domain and Creative Commons licenses. No content is AI-generated.