背泳(せおよ)ぎ

せおよぎ
noun
backstroke
1. backstroke
A swimming stroke performed while floating on the back. The arms alternate in a windmill motion while the legs perform a flutter kick. The only competitive stroke started in the water rather than from a diving block.
背泳(せおよ)ぎは顔(かお)を水(みず)につけなくていい。
With backstroke, you don't have to put your face in the water.
背泳(せおよ)ぎは天井(てんじょう)を見(み)ながら泳(およ)ぐ。
You swim backstroke while looking at the ceiling.
背泳(せおよ)ぎで壁(かべ)にぶつかりそうになった。
I almost hit the wall while swimming backstroke.

ALTERNATE NAMES:

  • バックストローク (backstroke - from English)
  • 背(せ)浮(う)き (floating on back - basic position)

TECHNIQUE:

  • バタ足(あし) (flutter kick)
  • 腕(うで)の回転(かいてん) (arm rotation)
  • 体(からだ)のローリング (body rolling)

CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Face stays above water (easier breathing)
  • Cannot see where you're going
  • Uses flags (背泳(せおよ)ぎフラッグ) to warn of approaching wall
  • Started from in the water, not diving block

COMPETITIVE EVENTS:

  • 50m, 100m, 200m 背泳(せおよ)ぎ
  • Swum first in 個人(こじん)メドレー (individual medley)
  • First leg of メドレーリレー (medley relay)

TIPS FOR LEARNERS:

  • 耳(みみ)まで水(みず)に浸(つ)かる (submerge ears)
  • 腰(こし)を浮(う)かせる (keep hips up)
  • まっすぐ泳(およ)ぐのが難(むずか)しい (swimming straight is difficult)

COLLOCATIONS:

  • 背泳(せおよ)ぎで泳(およ)ぐ (to swim backstroke)
  • 背泳(せおよ)ぎのターン (backstroke turn)

Related Words

Related: 平泳(ひらおよ)ぎ (swimming stroke)
core
Added 2026.1.18 8:09 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06500/06527_seoyogi