How to Play Synchronized Swimming?
In earlier days, synchronised swimming was known as Water Ballet. History says that the first recorded international competition was held in Berlin, Germany in 1891. After that event, many countries shown interest and clubs from respective countries were formed to play and organise competitive matches. Some of the skills performed in this sport are as follows −
Eggbeater
All the synchronised swimmers must have a clear idea about the eggbeater skill. It is one of the most fundamental skills in this sport. In this skill, a swimmer can attain stability and reach to a height above the water. Then she can leave the hands free to perform other acts. An athlete can reach as much height as possible but the average height is around chest level.
Though, this is a sport, but it is choreographed because of music and dance. By eggbeater, the athlete comes above the water level and is upright. At the same time, she has to put either both of her arms or at least a single arm in the air. It does not end with this. If a swimmer wants to go up vertically in the air above the water, there is boost technique. This is performed by an eggbeater build-up followed by a strong team effort by legs to propel the swimmer out of the water vertically.
Sculls
Eggbeater skill is normally performed by legs but, on the contrary, sculls mainly depend on hands. The hands of the other supporting athletes are used to propel the body of an athlete. There are different types of sculls used in synchronised swimming.
The famous and most used scull techniques are support scull, torpedo scull, and propeller scull.
The other techniques which are also widely performed are stationary scull, alligator scull, paddle scull, barrel scull, and split arm scull.
There are also other sculls like reverse scull and direct propeller which are used in training.
Positions
In synchronized swimming, there are a number of positions which will not allow you to blink your eyes. These are very famous and overall look very charming and graceful when athletes perform.
Following are some of the positions −
Tub − In this position, both of the legs are raised up to the chest. The shins and top of the feet should be parallel to the water.
Split Position − One of the legs of the swimmer is extended back and one is stretched forward along the surface but the swimmer has to be in vertical position.
Knight − Here the legs are flat on the surface of water and to make a knight’s posture the head is vertically in line with the hips. At the same time, the body is arched on the surface.
Heron or Bent Knee − Here also the body will be in a vertical position and, as the name suggests, one leg will be bent and the other one will be straight.
Crane − Here the body of the swimmer should be in vertical position and being in this position, one leg should be in vertical position and other should be parallel to the surface.
Side Fishtail − This is similar like a crane position but a side Y posture is additional in this position.
Back Layout − This a normal basic swimming position where a swimmer lies and swims on surface looking up and sculling under her hips.
Front Layout − In this position, the swimmer’s face will be under the surface and the back is up. The swimmer has to perform sculling by her chest and no breathing shall be done.
Flamingo − In this position, the bottom leg has to be pulled up to the chest in such a way that its shin touches the knee of the vertical leg.
Ballet Leg − Here one leg is extended and held perpendicular to the body and the other one is parallel to the surface.
