Orientation

Low, both in the glide, where the neck is fully extended with the eyes looking straight down, and in the breathing position, where the chin rests near the surface.

Arm action

In the initial glide position, the arms are directed slightly downward. Little effort is expended in the opening phase as the upper back widens; in the propulsive movement, the focus is on holding the water to draw the torso forward and up, as opposed to pulling the arms back.

Leg action

We stress the importance of the non-propulsive element of the leg action, where the legs release before actively pushing back. We advocate a wide, wedge-like action as opposed to the narrower, more common whip kick, because it promotes hip mobility and reduces the risk of knee injury.

Rhythm

In the competitive model, where the objective is to move into the propulsive actions as quickly as possible, a long glide is perceived as a waste of time. Breaststroke according to the Shaw Method is a series of glides punctuated by active movements. The glide is at the heart of the stroke, giving the swimmer more time to release the breath and lengthen and widen the back.