Freestyle Meaning in Swimming

Freestyle is a swimming category where athletes may use any stroke they choose for speed. In competitive settings, almost every swimmer chooses the front crawl because it is the fastest. This stroke involves alternating arm pulls combined with a continuous flutter kick and side breathing. It is the most common stroke taught to beginners for its efficiency over long distances. A swimmer chooses the front crawl to compete in the five hundred meter freestyle. Rules require the swimmer to break the surface of the water throughout the entire race. This stroke provides the most versatility for both short sprints and long marathon swimming events. Swimmers focus on a long, reaching pull to maximize the distance covered per stroke.