Finish Phase Meaning in Swimming

The finish phase describes the final part of the underwater arm pull in swimming. This movement occurs as the hand passes the hip and exits the water. A strong finish provides the last burst of forward power for that specific stroke. Swimmers must fully extend their arm to maximize the length of their pull. An athlete pushes their hand past the thigh to complete a butterfly stroke. Proper execution prevents the swimmer from pulling the hand out of the water too early. Coaches emphasize this phase to ensure the athlete uses their full range of motion. A powerful finish phase creates more speed with fewer total strokes taken.