Breaststroke and Butterfly Technique Tips
The symmetrical, short axis strokes - butterfly and breaststroke - and ways to learn them or improve your technique and speed.
Butterfly swimming - surprisingly popular with older age groups
Most recreational swimmers initially dismiss butterfly swimming because it apparently needs such a high degree of strength, mobility and coordination. It is second only to front crawl in speed, and was officially recognized as the fourth competitive swim stroke nearly 50 years ago. Even if you don't master it perfectly, the progressive technique practice involved in learning butterfly can provide a worthwhile and enjoyable experience, and improve your suppleness and strength immeasurably.
Most recreational swimmers initially dismiss butterfly swimming because it apparently needs such a high degree of strength, mobility and coordination. It is second only to front crawl in speed, and was officially recognized as the fourth competitive swim stroke nearly 50 years ago. Even if you don't master it perfectly, the progressive technique practice involved in learning butterfly can provide a worthwhile and enjoyable experience, and improve your suppleness and strength immeasurably.
Butterfly - Thoughts on Basic Technique
What is your mental picture of a butterfly swimmer? This is the result of a quick mental exercise, trying to describe different elements of butterfly swimming technique.
What is your mental picture of a butterfly swimmer? This is the result of a quick mental exercise, trying to describe different elements of butterfly swimming technique.
Breaststroke - Thoughts on Basic Technique
What is your mental picture of a breaststroke swimmer? This is one result from a mental exercise to quickly describe different elements of breaststroke swimming
What is your mental picture of a breaststroke swimmer? This is one result from a mental exercise to quickly describe different elements of breaststroke swimming
Breaststroke Breakthrough
Kurt Grote's stroke analyzed with words and pictures - great frame by frame shots of the whole breaststroke sequence; From The Breaststroker's Webpage.
Kurt Grote's stroke analyzed with words and pictures - great frame by frame shots of the whole breaststroke sequence; From The Breaststroker's Webpage.
Breaststroke Training
Technique and long term development ideas from Michael Lawrence, courtesy of ASCA.
Technique and long term development ideas from Michael Lawrence, courtesy of ASCA.
Butterfly from Swim-City
Some of the basics on fly, including a diagram.
Some of the basics on fly, including a diagram.
Catch the Wave, Part One
Roque Santos explains several drills to help the breaststroke pull.
Roque Santos explains several drills to help the breaststroke pull.
Catch the Wave, Part Two
Kick drills for breaststroke from Roque Santos.
Kick drills for breaststroke from Roque Santos.
Fear of Flying?
Jane Katz's overview of butterfly technique.
Jane Katz's overview of butterfly technique.
It's Not How Fast You Swim But How Fast You Slow Down
Breaststrokers are often more heavily muscled than swimmers of the other strokes, and as such have more resistance from the water. The stroke is swum more in and under the water - this makes you slow down faster than the other strokes. Researchers have proven that Breaststroke takes more strength and energy than the other strokes - even butterfly!
Breaststrokers are often more heavily muscled than swimmers of the other strokes, and as such have more resistance from the water. The stroke is swum more in and under the water - this makes you slow down faster than the other strokes. Researchers have proven that Breaststroke takes more strength and energy than the other strokes - even butterfly!
Swim.EE Pictures
Great breakdowns of strokes, starts, and turns.
Great breakdowns of strokes, starts, and turns.
Teaching Breastroke by David Salo
We have had our share of excellent breaststroke swimmers come through the ranks of our program, culminating with the American record set by Amanda Beard at the Olympic Games. I don't think that I would characterize what we promote through our program as the wave breaststroke or any other particular term, but there are some fundamental features of what we are looking for in the stroke.
We have had our share of excellent breaststroke swimmers come through the ranks of our program, culminating with the American record set by Amanda Beard at the Olympic Games. I don't think that I would characterize what we promote through our program as the wave breaststroke or any other particular term, but there are some fundamental features of what we are looking for in the stroke.
The Dolphin Kick
There are many swimmers who believe the greatest oxymoron of all time is the term "effortless butterfly".
There are many swimmers who believe the greatest oxymoron of all time is the term "effortless butterfly".