What are the breaststroke rules?

Under Article 101.2 (as amended for 2026):

• Start: forward start.
• Body position: on the breast. No rolling onto the back except at the turn after the touch, and the body must be on the breast before any stroke or kick after leaving the wall.
• Cycle: one arm stroke then one leg kick, in that order.
• Arms: simultaneous, with no alternating. The hands are pushed forward together from the breast, on, under or over the water. The elbows stay underwater except on the last stroke before the turn, during the turn and on the final stroke. The hands come back on or under the surface and not past the hip line, except on the first stroke after the start and each turn.
• Head: must break the surface during each cycle. After the start and each turn, one arm stroke may go all the way back to the legs, and the head must break the surface before the hands turn inward at the widest part of the second stroke.
• Kick: one butterfly kick is allowed after the start and each turn, before the first breaststroke kick. Otherwise legs move simultaneously, with feet turned outward in the propulsive part. No scissor, alternating or downward butterfly kicks. Feet breaking the surface is allowed unless followed by a downward butterfly kick.
• Turns and finish: a two-hand touch, separated and simultaneous, at, above or below the water. On the last stroke before the touch, an arm stroke without a kick is allowed.