Which statement best describes the standard arm motion in the freestyle stroke?

• A. The arms move alternately with one arm out of the water for half of the cycle
• B. The arms move together through the water for the full cycle
• C. The arms move alternately with both arms always under water
• D. The arms stay still during the stroke

Answer: (A)

Freestyle uses an alternating arm action, where one arm pulls underwater while the other arm recovers above the water. This means each arm spends roughly half the stroke cycle in the recovery phase out of the water, allowing the body to rotate and maintain continuous propulsion with minimal drag. That continuous, alternating pattern is what keeps the forward motion steady and efficient.

The idea of the arms moving together through the water for the full cycle describes other strokes, like breaststroke or butterfly, not freestyle. The notion that both arms stay underwater at all times during the stroke is incorrect because the recovery phase requires the arm to come out of the water and swing forward above the surface. And the arms staying still is not how propulsion is generated in freestyle.