Swimmers use four different strokes to swim an individual medley swimming event. Swimmers propel themselves through the water using four different arm movements and four different kicks. Each arm stroke features a kick designed to match the rhythm of the swim. We refer to strokes in the order in which they are performed: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. The four strokes are systematically swum in this order according to the rules that govern competitive swimming. Butterfly Stroke The butterfly stroke is the first stroke of the individual medley event. The butterfly stroke takes place at the start of the race and requires the swimmer to start from the starting block. The swimmer's start consists of a simplified body position for maximum entry speed and is followed by a simultaneous two-legged kick that begins from the hips in a whip-like fashion and continues down to the toes . This kick most closely resembles the motion a dolphin uses to propel itself through water. Due to the similarity of the movement, the kick is called a dolphin kick. The kick is combined with a simultaneous arm pull that begins with the arms extended in front of the swimmer. Both arms pull together through the water for maximum power. The arms lower toward the bottom of the pool, creating a 90-degree angle at the elbow. Then, the arms extend past the ribs and end at hip level. The palms are in an upward position relative to the water surface. The power of the stroke lifts the swimmer's shoulders toward the surface to maximize the opportunity to breathe. Once the head comes up for air, the arms move forward above the water like the upward push of the arms in a jumping jack. During ...... middle of paper ...... or the speed of this stroke. Swimmers can choose how many strokes they do before having to breathe. Each breath is a movement outside of the flow. Every body movement outside of the streamlined body position of this stroke can slow the swimmer down. Story The entire event consists of four equal distances in which the swimmer completes one of each of the strokes in sequential order. After each stroke, the swimmer must transition to the next stroke using a legal transition designed to allow the swimmer to maintain speed until the next stroke. Although there are many other individual events in which swimmers can compete, the individual medley is the only event in which a single swimmer performs more than one stroke at a time. Swimming the individual medley allows a swimmer to show off their power, technique, endurance and stroke control..