Individual medley
The individual medley (IM) combines all four strokes in a set order — butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, then freestyle — testing all-round swimming across a single event.
Overview
In the individual medley a single swimmer covers equal portions of butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle, in that fixed sequence, within one race. It rewards versatility: a swimmer must be competent in every stroke and manage the transitions and pacing between them.
Because it draws on the whole range of swimming skills, the IM is a great goal for well-rounded training, and it highlights how the four strokes complement one another.
What defines it
- All four strokes in one race, in a fixed order.
- The sequence is butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle.
- Rewards all-round competence rather than a single specialism.
- Legal turns between strokes are part of the challenge.
Getting started
- 1Become comfortable in all four strokes before combining them.
- 2Practise the stroke-to-stroke transitions and turns.
- 3Learn to pace so no single stroke leaves you spent for the next.
Other Swimming disciplines
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Scoring systems
- How swimming races are timed and placedSwimming races are decided by elapsed time and finishing order, with electronic touchpads recording when each swimmer completes the distance.
- How golf is scoredGolf counts strokes: the fewest shots taken to complete a hole or a round wins, with par providing the reference every score is described against.
Facilities
- Swimming poolA water-filled basin, divided into lanes for competition, used for swimming and other aquatic sports.
- The cricket field and boundaryHow the edge of a cricket field is defined and marked, what scores four and what scores six, and why the Laws set no boundary distance while international playing conditions do.
Techniques
- Freestyle StrokeThe fastest swimming stroke, using alternating overhead arm pulls, a flutter kick and rhythmic side breathing.
- BackstrokeThe only competitive stroke swum on the back, using alternating overhead arm pulls and a steady flutter kick.
- BreaststrokeA swimming stroke with a simultaneous arm sweep, a whip-like frog kick and a glide, performed on the front.
- Flip TurnA fast turn in freestyle where the swimmer somersaults at the wall, pushes off on their back and rotates to continue swimming.
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- 2026-07-09
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