What is the Fastest Swimming Stroke?

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the race of the century! In one corner, we have breaststroke, the classic and elegant stroke that’s been a staple of swimming competitions for centuries. And in the other corner, we have backstroke, the stroke that lets you breathe whenever you want to. 

But wait, what’s that coming up behind them? It’s front crawl, the underdog stroke that’s been quietly dominating the competition for years. That’s right, folks, if you want to know what is the fastest swimming stroke, there’s no denying that front crawl, often referred to as freestyle is the king of speed. 

I love front crawl! I can’t even begin to estimate how many miles of freestyle I’ve swam in my life 🏊. In this article, I’m happy to share the science behind front crawl and why it’s the fastest stroke out there along with some tips  for mastering this powerful stroke and smashing your personal records 🏆.

So buckle up, swimmers, because we’re about to take a “deep dive” into the world of front crawl.

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Table of Contents

• Why is Front Crawl Often Called Freestyle?
• How to Swim Front Crawl
• Why is Front Crawl (Freestyle) the Fastest Stroke?
• How to Improve Your Front Crawl
• Drills to Master Front Crawl and Win Freestyle Events 😉
• Notable Freestyle World Records
• Frequently Asked Questions About The Fastest Swimming Stroke

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Please do not confuse my personal blog for medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional before starting or altering any training plan. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I get a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you.

Why is Front Crawl Often Called Freestyle?

Front crawl is a swimming stroke that is often referred to as freestyle.

❓❓❓Why is it called freestyle❓❓❓

That’s because in swimming competitions, a  freestyle race is one where swimmers are free to use any stroke they want. Because front crawl is the fastest swimming stroke, front crawl is commonly referred to as freestyle in competitive swimming races. 

There are several origin stories for how “front crawl” got its name. In either case, it appears to have originated in the late 19th century. Possibly because Australian swimmer Dick Cavill, who was one of the first to use the stroke, “crawled” all over his opponent in the water. This technique eventually became known as the front crawl, and it quickly gained popularity among competitive swimmers.

While Dick Cavill is credited with naming the front crawl, the stroke actually was first used in a race in the 1800’s when two American Indian swimmers were invited to race in Britain. Apparently, they shocked everyone because British people only used breaststroke. Can you imagine what it must have been like to witness that race? It’d be like showing up to a horse race with a Ford “Mustang”. 

How to Swim Front Crawl

So what exactly does the front crawl look like? Here’s a breakdown of the basic technique:

1. Body position: Your body should be horizontal and streamlined, with the head facing down and the arms stretched out in front. I find that I need to think about pushing my head down lower than it naturally wants to go to get a good body position. When my head is low, my legs go up. 
2. Arm stroke: You want to alternate your arms in a continuous circular motion. Starting with one arm extended forward, pull your arm back through the water, keeping it straight and close to your body. As the arm nears the hip, the swimmer begins to bend their elbow and pull their hand upward, pushing the water behind them. The arm then extends forward again, entering the water in front of the head and repeating the cycle.
3. Leg kick: You should kick your legs continuously in a flutter kick motion, keeping your feet close together and the toes pointed. You should kick from your hips, not your knees.
4. Breathing: In front crawl, you breath by turning your head to the side, keeping one eye in the water and the other eye facing forward. Before turning your head, you exhale under water. If you’re doing it right, your breath should be quick and not disrupt your stroke. If you want to swim faster, you can breathe less and  keep your head underwater longer. 

Why is Front Crawl (Freestyle) the Fastest Stroke?

When it comes to speed in swimming, front crawl reigns supreme. But what makes this stroke so much faster than the others? Let’s break it down.

1. Streamlined body position: The key to speed in swimming is reducing drag, or the resistance of the water against the swimmer’s body. Front crawl allows for the most streamlined body position of any stroke, with the swimmer’s body lying flat and facing down in the water. This minimizes drag and allows the swimmer to move through the water with less resistance.
2. Efficient arm stroke: The arm stroke in front crawl is designed for maximum efficiency. The circular motion of the arms creates a continuous forward propulsion, with each stroke building on the momentum of the previous one. Most of your propulsion in front crawl  comes from your arms. Not your legs. The arm stroke also puts less strain on the shoulder joint than other strokes, making it a more sustainable option for long-distance swimming. That’s why there’s a 1500 m freestyle and not a 1500 m butterfly.
3. Powerful leg kick: The flutter kick in front crawl generates a lot of power, helping to propel the swimmer forward with each stroke. The kick comes from the hips and thighs, which are some of the strongest muscles in the body. This powerful kick, combined with the efficient arm stroke, creates a potent combination for speed in the water.
4. Breathing technique: In front crawl, the swimmer takes quick, efficient breaths by turning their head to the side. This allows for a continuous flow of oxygen without disrupting the stroke or body position. Other strokes, such as breaststroke, require a pause in the stroke to take a breath, which slows down the swimmer’s overall speed.

How to Improve Your Front Crawl

Freestyle may be the fastest swimming stroke of the four competitive strokes used in international swimming competitions. But if you want to swim faster, you’re going to need to do drills to improve your times in the pool. There are three things you can do to improve your front crawl:

1. Practice proper body position: To reduce drag and increase speed, it’s essential to maintain a streamlined body position in the water. Focus on keeping your body horizontal and facing down, with your head in a neutral position. Practice kicking from the hips and keeping your arms close to your body during the stroke.
2. Master the arm stroke: The key to a fast front crawl is a smooth and efficient arm stroke. Focus on pulling your arm through the water in a straight line, keeping your elbow high and your hand close to your body. Make sure you’re extending your arm fully on each stroke and not cutting it short. Experiment with the timing and rhythm of your stroke to find what works best for you.
3. Perfect your leg kick: The flutter kick in front crawl generates a lot of power, but it’s important to use it efficiently. Focus on kicking from the hips and keeping your legs close together with your toes pointed. Avoid bending your knees too much, as this can create drag and slow you down.

But those 3 things are easier said than done… If you want to get better body position, or improve your pull or kick, you’ll need to do some drills.

Drills to Master Front Crawl and Win Freestyle Events 😉

1. One-arm drill: Swim freestyle using only one arm while the other arm is extended in front of you. This drill helps to focus on your arm stroke technique and build strength in your pulling arm.
2. Catch-up drill: Swim freestyle while keeping both arms extended in front of you. Bring one arm back to your side, pull it through the water, and then touch your other hand before beginning the next stroke with that arm. This drill helps to focus on your arm recovery and coordination.
3. Kickboard drill: Hold a kickboard in front of you and swim freestyle using only your legs. This drill helps to build leg strength and improve your kick technique.
4. Fist drill: Swim freestyle with your hands in fists, focusing on pulling through the water using your forearms. This drill helps to build strength in your pulling muscles and improve your catch.

Notable Freestyle World Records

Front crawl is the fastest stroke in swimming, and some of the most impressive world records have been set in this category. Here are a few notable world records in front crawl and what it takes to break them:

1. Men’s 50m freestyle: The current world record in the men’s 50m freestyle (one length of the pool) is held by César Cielo of Brazil, with a time of 20.91 seconds. 
2. Men’s 100m freestyle: The current world record in the men’s 100m freestyle is held by David Popovici of Romania, with a time of 46.86 seconds. 
3. Men’s 1500m freestyle: The current world record in the men’s 1500m freestyle is held by Sun Yang of China, with a time of 14:31.02. 
4. Women’s 50m freestyle: The current world record in the women’s 50m freestyle is held by Sarah Sjöström of Sweden, with a time of 23.67 seconds. 
5. Women’s 100m freestyle: The current world record in the women’s 100m freestyle is held by Sarah Sjöström of Sweden, with a time of 51.71 seconds. 
6. Women’s 1500m freestyle: The current world record in the women’s 1500m freestyle is held by Katie Ledecky of the United States, with a time of 15:20.48. 

Frequently Asked Questions About The Fastest Swimming Stroke