Freestyle 自由泳

　　Freestyle is an unregulated swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. Competitors in freestyle swimming can use any of the unregulated strokes such as front crawl, dog paddle, or sidestroke, etc. Most competitive swimmers choose the front crawl during freestyle competitions, as this style provides the greatest speed. As such the term freestyle is often used as a synonym for the front crawl.

根据国际泳联的规定，“自由泳”其实是各种非标准泳姿的统称，包括爬泳、狗刨、侧泳等等。但是在自由泳比赛中多数选手会选择爬泳，因为这种泳姿速度相对较快。因此人们常说的“自由泳”基本就成了“爬泳”的同义词。