Backstroke br If your swimmer is competent at performing Pat the Dog, then the backstroke arms can be introduced. Just like Freestyle, we simplify the stroke when first teaching it and use a technique called Single-arm Backstroke. Just like Catch-up freestyle, Single-arm makes it easy for a child to understand and perform the skill that’s being asked. If they find this easy, then simply move on to traditional (Olympic) Backstroke. br br Four easy steps to Backstroke: br 1. Standing Single-arm br 2. Single arm drills br 3. Standing Olympic Backstroke br 4.