As it is on the movements of the limbs, and a certain attitude of the
body, that the power of swimming depends, its first principles may
evidently be acquired out of the water.
_Attitude._
The head must be drawn back, and the chin elevated, the breast
projected, and the back hollowed and kept steady. (Plate XX. figs. 1
and 2.) The head can scarcely be thrown too much back, or the back too
much hollowed. Those who do otherwise, swim with their feet near the
surface of the water, instead of having them two or three feet deep.
_Action of the Hands._
In the proper position of the hands, the fingers must be kept close,
with the thumbs by the edge of the fore-fingers; and the hands made
concave on the inside, though not so much as to diminish their size and
power in swimming. The hands, thus formed, should be placed just before
the breast, the wrist touching it, and the fingers pointing forward.
(Plate XXI. fig. 1.)
The first elevation is formed by raising the ends of the fingers three
or four inches higher than the rest of the hands. The second, by
raising the outer edge of the hand two or three inches higher than the
inner edge.
The formation of the hands, their first position, and their two modes
of elevation, being clearly understood, the forward stroke is next
made, by projecting them in that direction to their utmost extent,
employing therein their first elevation, in order to produce buoyancy,
but taking care the fingers do not break the surface of the water.
(Plate XXI. fig. 2.) In the outward stroke of the hands, the second
elevation must be employed; and, in it, they must sweep downward and
outward as low as, but at a distance from, the hips, both laterally and
anteriorly. (Plate XXI. figs. 3 and 4.)
The retraction of the hands is effected by bringing the arms closer to
the sides, bending the elbow joints upwards and the wrists downwards,
so that the hands hang down, while the arms are raising them to the
first position, the action of the hands being gentle and easy. In the
three movements just described, one arm may be exercised at a time,
until each is accustomed to the action.
_Action of the Feet._
In drawing up the legs, the knees must be inclined inward, and the
soles of the feet outward. (Plate XXII. fig. 1.) The throwing out the
feet should be to the extent of the legs, as widely from each other as
possible. (Plate XXII. fig. 2.) The bringing down the legs must be done
briskly, until they come close together. In drawing up the legs, there
is a loss of power; in throwing out the legs, there is a gain equal to
that loss; and in bringing down the legs, there is an evident gain.
[Illustration: _Plate XXI_
_Page 84._