How to Swim the Trudgen Stroke: Tips, Drills, and Common Mistakes

Have you ever heard of the Trudgen stroke? No, it’s not the name of a forgotten pirate or a new dance move, it’s actually one of the coolest and most historical swimming strokes out there! 

If you’re looking to add something unique to your swim skills, the trudgen stroke is a fun, challenging, and rewarding technique to master. Let’s dive right in and explore everything you need to know about the trudgen stroke.

What Is the Trudgen Stroke?

The trudgen stroke (pronounced truh-jin) is a hybrid swimming style that combines elements of freestyle (front crawl) and scissor kick. It looks a bit like freestyle with a twist. Instead of the flutter kick used in freestyle, the trudgen uses a strong scissor kick, making the stroke more rhythmic and almost dance-like in motion.

Swimmers alternate arm strokes like in freestyle, but breathe to the side while adding a distinct scissor kick every two strokes. It’s a bit slower than modern freestyle but very graceful when done correctly.

A Splash of History: The Origins of the Trudgen

The trudgen stroke is named after John Trudgen, a British swimmer who popularized the stroke in 1873. Trudgen learned the technique from South American swimmers and introduced it to Europe. 

At the time, breaststroke and sidestroke were the dominant styles in competitive swimming, so the trudgen's alternating arm movements were revolutionary.

Interestingly, John Trudgen’s version included a double overarm stroke with a scissor kick, and this new approach helped swimmers gain speed and power in the water, making it a favorite for races in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Although modern freestyle eventually overtook trudgen in speed, the stroke remains a part of swimming history and is still taught as a unique skill and conditioning tool.

Trudgen vs. Freestyle: What’s the Difference?

At first glance, trudgen and freestyle might look similar because both use alternating arm movements. But there are a few key differences:

So while freestyle is faster and more commonly used in races, the trudgen is excellent for building core coordination, timing, and leg strength.

How to Swim the Trudgen Stroke (Step-by-Step)

Learning how to swim the trudgen stroke may feel like putting together a smooth dance in water. Let’s break it down step by step:

1. Body Position

Start by keeping your body in a horizontal, streamlined position on the surface of the water. This helps reduce drag and keeps you moving efficiently. Your body should feel long and stretched out, almost like you’re gliding across the pool.

Keep your head in line with your spine, and let your eyes look slightly forward and down, not straight ahead. This head position keeps your neck relaxed and helps maintain balance in the water. A strong and steady body position sets the foundation for the rest of your stroke.

2. Arm Movement

The arm movement in trudgen is quite similar to freestyle swimming, but with a touch more exaggeration in rotation. You’ll use alternating overarm strokes where one arm is reaching forward and entering the water, the other arm is pulling back toward your hip. 

Imagine drawing a big circle with each arm, one after the other. Keep your hands relaxed and fingers slightly together to create a paddle-like effect. Your pull should be smooth and purposeful, aiming to push water behind you to propel your body forward.

3. Breathing

When it comes to breathing, timing is everything. In trudgen, swimmers usually breathe every two strokes, turning their head to the side as one arm finishes its pull. This side-breathing technique is similar to freestyle and helps maintain your body’s flow without disrupting your rhythm. 

Avoid lifting your head straight up as this can throw off your balance and create extra drag. Instead, simply rotate your head with your shoulders, allowing your mouth to clear the water briefly for a breath before turning it back down.

4. Scissor Kick Timing

Scissor kick is the iconic move from the trudgen stroke. Unlike freestyle’s flutter kick, trudgen’s scissor kick delivers a strong burst of propulsion, but only once every two arm strokes. 

To perform it, separate your legs slightly: one leg moves forward, the other moves back. Then, snap them together in a strong and quick closing motion, pushing the water backward and launching your body forward. 

5. Rhythm and Coordination

The true challenge of the trudgen stroke lies in its timing and coordination. You’ll need to create a consistent rhythm where every two arm strokes are followed by one well-timed scissor kick. 

The best time to kick is just as you complete your second arm pull and turn your head to breathe. When done correctly, the kick will naturally lift your body, making it easier to inhale and maintain your flow. It might feel a bit like learning choreography at first, but once you find your rhythm, the stroke becomes smooth and satisfying.

Common Mistakes in the Trudgen Stroke (and How to Fix Them)

Learning trudgen can feel tricky at first. Here are the most common errors swimmers make and how to correct them:

Mistake #1: Kicking Too Often

Remember the 2-arm-strokes-to-1-kick rule. Overkicking ruins your rhythm and wastes energy.

Mistake #2: Poor Scissor Kick Form

Practice the kick slowly on land or with a kickboard. Keep your legs in line and avoid crossing or twisting.

Mistake #3: Breathing Too Late

Breathe just as your pulling arm finishes. Practice turning your head naturally with your stroke.

Mistake #4: Rigid Body Position

Relax your hips and shoulders to allow for rotation and balance. Keep your body loose but streamlined.

Mistake #5: Splashy Kicks or Arms

Smooth movements make trudgen more efficient. Focus on technique over speed at first.

Tips for Swimming the Trudgen Stroke

Below are five easy-to-follow tips that will help you improve your trudgen stroke:

1. Focus on Your Breathing

Breathing is one of the most important parts of any swim stroke, and it’s especially important in trudgen. Try swimming with your face in the water most of the time. It may feel a little more challenging at first, but it’s a great way to build better breathing habits.

2. Pay Attention to Core Rotation

Your core muscles play a big role in helping you glide through the water. In the trudgen stroke, your torso naturally twists during the scissor kick. This twist isn’t just for show but actually gives you extra power and balance.

3. Keep Your Body Loose

Here’s something most beginner swimmers don’t realize: being too stiff in the water actually makes you slower and more tired. If your muscles are tense, your movements will feel choppy, and it’ll take more energy to swim. The trudgen stroke works best when you stay loose and relaxed.

4. Maintain a Natural Head Position

Your head acts like the steering wheel of your body in the water—if it’s too high or too low, the rest of your body follows. In trudgen, try to keep your head in a natural, relaxed position. 

You want it to be just high enough to breathe control comfortably and see where you’re going, but not so high that it causes your hips and legs to sink.

5. Practice Other Strokes, Too!

Want to get better at the trudgen stroke? One of the best things you can do is practice other swimming strokes. Techniques from front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and even butterfly can help improve your timing, coordination, breathing, and stamina.

Want to Improve Your Swimming Skills?

If you truly want to see your children grow into skilled swimmers, then enrolling them in the Swimming Program at Rockstar Academy is the perfect next step. 

Rockstar Academy is proudly known as the best Sports & Performing Arts Academy, offering a wide variety of physical activity programs that not only develop athletic skills but also nurture discipline, confidence, and personal growth. 

What makes Rockstar truly special is its comprehensive curriculum that includes exciting events like the RockOlympics—an unforgettable learning experience where students can showcase their talents and discover their true potential.

And for families looking for even more tailored support, Rockstar Academy also offers a Private Instruction Program, providing highly personalized, skills-based training focused entirely on your child’s individual goals. 

With intensive one-on-one guidance, detailed feedback, progress videos, and even weekly exercises to do at home, your child will receive the focused attention they need to excel.

Best of all? You can experience it risk-free with a free trial class. So, don’t wait and help your child shine in the pool with Rockstar Academy today!

FAQ

Is the trudgen stroke used in competitions today?

Not typically. It’s considered more of a historical stroke or a drill for training. Modern freestyle is much faster and is used in races.

Is trudgen good for beginners?

It’s better for swimmers who are already comfortable with freestyle and want to try something new. The coordination needed can be tricky for first-timers.

Can trudgen improve my overall swimming?

Yes! It helps with timing, coordination, core strength, and body rotation, which are all useful for freestyle and backstroke too.