How to Swim the Trudgen Stroke: 5 Tips for Swimming Trudgen

The trudgen stroke is a swimming technique named after English swimmer John Trudgen, who lived from 1852 to 1902. The swimming style evolved out of the sidestroke and has distinct features that influenced the development of the front crawl, one of the most popular swimming strokes. The trudgen swimming stroke is a combination of overarm strokes and scissor kicks. As a useful hybrid of more familiar techniques, it can be a powerful stroke to learn, and an excellent full-body workout.

The trudgen swim stroke is a combination of the arm movements from the freestyle stroke and leg movements of the sidestroke:

• Arms: To perform the arm stroke of the trudgen, begin with your arms reaching forward. Choose your left arm or your right arm, whichever feels more comfortable to lead with. Sweep your lead arm down into the water with your elbow still somewhat raised. As the initial arm is in recovery, come back to the front center and bring the opposite arm down into the water to repeat the movement on the other side. This arm movement is similar to the front crawl stroke or freestyle.
• Legs: In the trudgen, the scissor kick occurs every second stroke. When pulling with one arm, your legs should open toward your lead arm, spreading in opposite directions. Then, snap your legs closed to provide a forceful, propulsive kick.

The trudgen stroke can be an enjoyable, satisfying stroke to learn. Follow these tips to practice the techniques for the trudgen stroke:

1. 1. Focus on your breathing. Many swimmers who practice the trudgen stroke keep their heads above the water at all times, but you can also swim the stroke with your face down in the water. This more challenging variation demands greater attention to breathing techniques. You can lift your head to breathe as the lead arm reaches forward during recovery.
2. 2. Pay attention to the core rotation. While doing the trudgen stroke, the torso has a twist that occurs when you do the scissor kick. This provides extra force and allows your body to stay in alignment so that you can continue moving forward.
3. 3. Keep your body loose. As with all strokes, too much rigidity in the body can slow you down. Concentrate on the arms and legs separately to relax your body, which can help you coordinate the movements.
4. 4. Maintain a natural position for your head. You want your head to be high enough to be able to breathe naturally and see where you’re going. Avoid keeping your head and shoulder high throughout the stroke. When your head and upper body tilt upward, your legs naturally fall in the water. This increases drag and will require more effort to swim.
5. 5. Practice other swimming strokes. The front crawl stroke, the backstroke, the breaststroke, and the butterfly stroke all feature elements that can help you develop the timing and stamina to improve your trudgen technique.

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