Taylor Acheson | How to Match Your Strengths to the Right Swimming Stroke

Taylor Acheson

Taylor Acheson believes that swimmers can accelerate their progress by choosing strokes that align with their physical and technical strengths. While versatility is important, long-term development often benefits from strategic focus—especially when a swimmer’s natural mechanics suit one stroke more than another.

Each stroke has distinct demands. Freestyle emphasizes aerobic capacity and rhythm. Butterfly requires upper-body power and timing precision. Backstroke calls for core stability and shoulder flexibility, while breaststroke depends heavily on hip mobility and exact stroke timing. Identifying which of these strengths comes most naturally allows a swimmer to channel their training more effectively.

In practice, swimmers and coaches can assess key movement patterns. A swimmer with excellent undulation may naturally take to butterfly. Someone with strong streamline and kick control might find success in backstroke. These traits, along with an honest look at technical efficiency, can make specialization more productive and less stressful.

Athletes should also pay attention to how their energy systems respond. If a swimmer maintains speed better across longer sets, freestyle or backstroke may suit them. For explosive power, butterfly or sprint breaststroke might be the better path.

Taylor Acheson notes that stroke specialization isn’t about narrowing options—it’s about deepening impact. Aligning your strengths with the right stroke can lead to better performance, greater confidence, and more rewarding training.