How Breaststroke Pullouts Work Explainer
After the start and after each turn in breaststroke, a swimmer may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs while remaining underwater. This special pullout differs from the ordinary surface cycle and helps the swimmer convert the wall push into forward speed before regular stroke rhythm begins.
One butterfly kick is permitted during the pullout before the first breaststroke kick. The kick may occur before or after the arm pull begins, but the sequence still permits only that single butterfly action. Extra downward dolphin kicks can bring a disqualification when officials clearly observe them.
The head must break the surface before the hands turn inward at the widest part of the second arm stroke. From that point, each cycle must contain one arm stroke and one leg kick in the required order, with part of the head breaking the surface during every complete cycle.
Judges view the swimmer from deck and underwater angles to separate natural body undulation from an independent illegal kick. A legal pullout combines one full underwater arm pull, one permitted butterfly kick, one breaststroke kick, and a timely rise into the first surface stroke without adding hidden propulsion.
One butterfly kick is permitted before the first breaststroke kick.
Yes. One arm stroke completely back to the legs is allowed after the start and each turn.
Before the hands turn inward at the widest part of the second arm stroke.
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