背泳ぎ, or backstroke, is a swimming style where the swimmer lies on their back and uses an alternating arm movement to propel themselves through the water. The legs perform a flutter kick, which helps maintain balance and speed. This stroke is often considered one of the four competitive swimming styles. In competitive swimming, backstroke races are typically held in a pool with specific distances, such as 100 meters or 200 meters. Swimmers must start in the water and can only turn onto their stomachs for the finish. Backstroke is unique because it allows swimmers to breathe freely while swimming.