How to Swim the Combat Side Stroke

The combat side stroke is the highly efficient stroke taught by the Navy and used for Navy Special Ops programs for sailors who conduct missions underwater. These programs include Navy SEALs, SWCC, EOD and Navy Divers. To be accepted into any of these training pipelines one must learn the combat side stroke.

The initial swim test to screen for these special ops programs is a 500 yard swim that can be done in CSS or breast stroke but once a sailor enters training only the combat side stroke is used. It is imperative that a candidate for these programs master the CSS before going to training. Candidates will be tested up to 4 mile ocean swims with gear doing the combat side stroke once in training. It is also important that a candidate train the CSS with fins to prepare for these swims. After the initial 500 yard screening test, all swimming will be done with fins.

To swim the combat side stroke with out fins start out crouched as tightly as possible against the wall. Put your arms strait out in front of you with one hand on top of the other and biceps touching ears and push off the wall. Shoot out from the wall like a torpedo.

As your momentum slows, do one big double arm pull and one breast kick. Glide a bit further. As you slow down again put both hands strait in front of you and begin your first pull. Pull with your top hand sideways through the water and place it on your thigh.

As you are pulling with the top hand, rotate your body in the water towards your top hand and breath. As you are breathing in, pull with your bottom hand down and back. As your bottom hand comes back rotate your head back down into the water and put your hands back in front of you, biceps on ears.

When you do this, cock your legs up for the scissor kick with the top leg in front and bottom leg in back. Once your hands are strait out snap your legs out and together to push yourself forward. Glide for a few seconds keeping your body strait and toes pointed before beginning your next pull. While you are gliding, exhale through your nose and mouth.

The only difference between a CSS with fins and one without is that the scissor kick is removed when fins are used and replaced with a constant flutter kick.