Level: beginner
The most interesting and difficult technicalities of all four swim strokes come together in the medley. In this particular race you must cover the set distance performing all four swim strokes in the following order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
The first medley race dates back to 1952, although back then there was no difference between the breaststroke and butterfly and so you only had to swim the backstroke, breaststroke and front crawl. One year later the butterfly was added as the first leg in the USA and shortly afterwards the Amateur Athletic Union made it compulsory, making the medley what it is today.
START
Since the first leg is the butterfly, a medley race begins from the starting blocks at the edge of the pool.
CHANGING STROKES
The distinctive thing about the medley is that you change swim stroke after each quarter of the race.
The first change from butterfly to backstroke involves an ordinary butterfly turn (after touching the wall simultaneously with both hands, you draw your knees quickly to your chest, places toes against the wall and then push off), after pushing off you should be on your back, so that you can start swimming the…
