Best of Club Swimming: Technical Progressions for Successful Breaststroke

with Kevin Zacher,
Santa Clara Swim Club (SCSC) Head Coach;
Scottsdale Aquatic Club (SAC) Head Coach & CEO from 2007 to 2021;
American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Level 5 certified coach;
3x American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Arizona Age Group Coach of the Year (2007, 2014 and 2016 );
under Zacher's leadership, SAC was named a USA Swimming Gold Medal Club in 2013, won the 2014 Junior National title and in 2016 the Junior National overall team title;
Zacher-coached swimmers have: broken National Age Group Records, won Individual National Championships, attained National Top 10 rankings in respective age groups, earned Junior/Senior National Qualifying times, qualified for the Olympic Trials and won Olympic Medals

In this video, Kevin Zacher explains the importance of body alignment and kick to encourage forward motion in the breaststroke. He then gives several breaststroke kick progressions that will not only allow swimmers to practice their technique, but also allow coaches to see and address any inconsistencies that swimmers may be facing.

Advanced Breaststroke Progression

Coach Zacher provides drills that will strengthen a swimmer's breaststroke pull and help them maintain good timing and rhythm. The "Moose Drill" encourages swimmers to focus on feeling for the appropriate timing between the breaststroke kick and glide.

Other progressions include:

• 1 Pull, 2 Kicks: For feeling the power of the kick and getting into an efficient body line.
• Breaststroke Arms w/ Flutter Kick: To develop fast hands.
• 3 Sculls/3 Pulls: Helps find the ideal catch point.
• Eggbeater Kick: For fast heel speed.

Starts, Pullouts, and Turns

The objective of the breaststroke start is to get into the water with as much speed as possible, carry that speed into the pullout, and transfer to the breakout. Zacher finishes by explaining the body position needed for a great breaststroke pullout and start. He also gives a simple progression for the breaststroke turn that will help any new swimmer properly execute his/her turn.

Nothing has been left out of this video - building the stroke from the kick up, developing upon each step of the turn, and the importance of staying tight and straight on the start. By layering his breaststroke drills progressively, Kevin Zacher has created an easy-to-follow guide that will help coaches find better ways to instruct their swimmers, regardless of skill level.

60 minutes. 2018.