Streamline (swimming)
Encyclopedia
Used most typically in competitive swimming, the streamline position is the position a swimmer takes underwater after pushing off a pool
wall. To streamline, a swimmer must tuck the head into the collar bone, pointing both arms straight ahead in a tight line. The underside of both arms should be pressing on the back of the head. This position produces the most hydrodynamic position a human can take while accelerating underwater.
Kicking in the streamline position underwater can be substantially faster than swimming any of the other aquatic strokes, competitive or otherwise. For this reason, competitive swimmers often try to kick in a streamline position off a wall or the starting block for as long as they can underwater before coming up for their first stroke. The Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA
), otherwise known as the International Swimming Federation
has strict regulations for underwater swimming in a FINA-regulated event. They regulate the length of the pool a swimmer may travel after the start or any turn without his/her head breaking the surface of the water, as well as the number of strokes (and, in the case of breaststroke
, also the number of kicks) a swimmer may take underwater at these times.
The length one may travel underwater when racing in any one of the competitive strokes except breaststroke -- backstroke
, butterfly
and freestyle
(typically performed as a crawl
stroke) -- is 15 meters or 16.4 yards. This is slightly less than two-thirds of a 25 yard or meter pool (short-course) and slightly less than one-third of a 50 meter pool (long course).
Most major competitive swimming, water polo
, open water, synchronized swimming and diving events, including those at the Olympic games are affiliated with FINA. Other organizations, such as USA Swimming
(formerly United States Swimming or USS), the United States' national swimming organization, have analogous rules concerning the distance a swimmer may propel underwater. USA Swimming allows a swimmer to propel no more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) underwater without the head breaking the surface in any of the competitive strokes except for breaststroke. There is no specified limit in this stroke, but, since the number of underwater strokes and kicks are regulated, this becomes a moot point to competitive swimming. It is not hydrodynamic to maintain this position past a certain distance, which is invariably less than the length of a short-course pool.
All of these regulations apply to races measured in both yards and meters and performed in both short-course and long-course pools.
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
wall. To streamline, a swimmer must tuck the head into the collar bone, pointing both arms straight ahead in a tight line. The underside of both arms should be pressing on the back of the head. This position produces the most hydrodynamic position a human can take while accelerating underwater.
Kicking in the streamline position underwater can be substantially faster than swimming any of the other aquatic strokes, competitive or otherwise. For this reason, competitive swimmers often try to kick in a streamline position off a wall or the starting block for as long as they can underwater before coming up for their first stroke. The Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA
Fina
Fina may refer to:*Fina, a character in the Skies of Arcadia video game*FINA, the International Swimming Federation*FINA, the North American Forum on Integration...
), otherwise known as the International Swimming Federation
International Swimming Federation
Fédération Internationale de Natation is the International Federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee for administering international competition in the aquatic sports...
has strict regulations for underwater swimming in a FINA-regulated event. They regulate the length of the pool a swimmer may travel after the start or any turn without his/her head breaking the surface of the water, as well as the number of strokes (and, in the case of breaststroke
Breaststroke
The breaststroke is a swimming style in which the swimmer is on his or her chest and the torso does not rotate. It is the most popular recreational style due to its stability and the ability to keep the head out of the water a large portion of the time. In most swimming classes, beginners learn...
, also the number of kicks) a swimmer may take underwater at these times.
The length one may travel underwater when racing in any one of the competitive strokes except breaststroke -- backstroke
Backstroke
The backstroke, also sometimes called the back crawl, is one of the four swimming styles regulated by FINA, and the only regulated style swum on the back. This has the advantage of easy breathing, but the disadvantage of swimmers not being able to see where they are going. It is also the only...
, butterfly
Butterfly stroke
The butterfly is a swimming stroke swum on the breast, with both arms moving simultaneously. The butterfly kick was developed separately, and is also known as the "dolphin kick"...
and freestyle
Freestyle swimming
Freestyle is an unregulated swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. The front crawl stroke is almost universally used during a freestyle race, as this style is generally the fastest...
(typically performed as a crawl
Front crawl
The front crawl, forward crawl, or freestyle is a swimming stroke usually regarded as the fastest of the four front primary strokes. As such, the front crawl stroke is nearly universally used during a freestyle swimming competition, hence the synonymously used term "freestyle". It is one of two...
stroke) -- is 15 meters or 16.4 yards. This is slightly less than two-thirds of a 25 yard or meter pool (short-course) and slightly less than one-third of a 50 meter pool (long course).
Most major competitive swimming, water polo
Water polo
Water polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...
, open water, synchronized swimming and diving events, including those at the Olympic games are affiliated with FINA. Other organizations, such as USA Swimming
USA Swimming
USA Swimming is the national governing body for competitive swimming in the United States. It is charged with selecting the United States Olympic Swimming team and any other teams which officially represent the United States, as well as the overall organization and operation of the sport within the...
(formerly United States Swimming or USS), the United States' national swimming organization, have analogous rules concerning the distance a swimmer may propel underwater. USA Swimming allows a swimmer to propel no more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) underwater without the head breaking the surface in any of the competitive strokes except for breaststroke. There is no specified limit in this stroke, but, since the number of underwater strokes and kicks are regulated, this becomes a moot point to competitive swimming. It is not hydrodynamic to maintain this position past a certain distance, which is invariably less than the length of a short-course pool.
All of these regulations apply to races measured in both yards and meters and performed in both short-course and long-course pools.