What are the breaststroke rules?

• After the start and each turn you may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs, during which you may be submerged. Before the first breaststroke kick a single butterfly kick is permitted. Your head must break the surface before your hands turn inward at the widest part of the second stroke.
• From the first arm stroke after the start and each turn your body must be on the breast. You may not roll onto your back, except at the turn after the wall touch.
• The stroke cycle is one arm stroke then one leg kick, in that order. Arm movements are simultaneous, with no alternating movement.
• Hands are pushed forward together from the breast, on, under or over the water. Elbows stay under water except for the final stroke before the turn, during the turn and the final stroke at the finish. Hands must not go back beyond the hip line, except in the first stroke after the start and each turn.
• Some part of your head must break the surface during each complete stroke cycle. Leg movements are simultaneous.
• Feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the kick. Alternating movements and downward butterfly kicks are not permitted, apart from the single kick after the start and turns.
• At each turn and the finish, the touch must be made with both hands separated and simultaneously, at, above or below the surface.

Source: Masters Swimming Australia Swimming Rules, June 2026, SW 7 (https://mastersswimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MSA-Swimming-Rules-inc-Multi-Class-Rules-June-2026-1.pdf).