The breast stroke will require some practice, and this can be helped
by out-of-the-water exercise. Close your fingers tightly, but not so
as to be very conscious of the effort. In this position, bring them up
till the chin rests on the two thumbs, which are side by side and
parallel. Next separate the hands, fingers still close together, shoot
them edgewise as far in front as you can reach, then with the flat
palms and closed fingers to the resisting water, draw them smartly
back, like oars.

For the second stroke, draw the arms edgewise to the first position
and repeat as often as may be necessary. This exercise will strengthen
the arm and shoulder muscles and greatly facilitate the movements when
you come to use them in swimming.

Be careful always to bear in mind the following rules: Keep the head
thrown back so as to clear the mouth and chin. Try to swim as low as
possible. The lower and the nearer level the plane in which the body
lies in the water, the less the waste of power and the greater the
speed, so that all rising and falling must be avoided, and nothing
seen below the chin. Always keep the trunk steady and the spine
hollowed, avoiding all squirming, wriggling and bending, while the
motions must be made steadily, avoiding all hurry. Exhale your breath
when the hands are extended in front supporting the head, and inhale
as they are brought back--an action which expands the chest and gives
you almost instinctively the signal for taking breath, which should be
inhaled through the nose as much as possible.