Readers Respond: Key Elements of Butterfly Swimming Technique

Responses: 8

From Mat Luebbers, former About.com Guide

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From the article: Butterfly Swimming Technique

Swimming butterfly . Up, down, high hips, kick, don't kick too much. How do you describe the elements of butterfly?

Butterfly: Big kick, little kick, Pull, big kick, little kick, pull and breathe. In butterfly you should breathe every other stroke and practice pulsing on your back and sides when doing a kick set.
—Guest Lexi

This is possibly the most difficult stroke to perform. Work on timing, strength, and endurance. And don't forget to just keeping swimming and practice makes perfect.
—Guest Greg

The key to butterfly is getting the leg and body motion right. If you get in the proper rhythm, you'll get a powerful full body kick that'll let you bring your arms up over the water. Practice the kick first; the rest will fall into place.
—Guest Clark

As a coach it is interesting to re-examine what it is to be a swimmer. Butterfly is fun to coach because of how many different technique mistakes need to be corrected. Arms should not come around (rotating around the shoulders), but rather low above the water and to the side. This helps to keep the shoulders from tiring. Also, initial placement of the hands when entering the water is usually too high, in an 'I' position, and should instead enter the water at a 'Y' position. This also helps reduce tiredness in the shoulders as it's more efficient. Hope this helps someone. Good luck!
—Guest Coach

Swimming butterfly is made up of a strong hip movement combined with a strong pull down. Your arms are then thrown forward. When you breath it should be thought of as trying to sneak a breath and should only be a small head movement
—Guest Swimmergirl

When I swim the stroke butterfly, I do fast arms with lots of momentum. It is really hard.
—Guest water

Everything about this swimming style speaks of monstrosity. The way you erupt from the water, your arms coming about like you're trying to envelope your prey, and you dive back into the water, dissapearing from view only to be closer to your target, the odd movement required for kicking, and the strain it puts on your stamina. The butterfly? Really? This swimming style is nothing less of a monstrous monster.
—Guest Sam

As far as I'm concerned arms have to swing forward highly above the surface. I try to copy a dolphin that jumps out and jumps in alternately. I think the swimming would be nice rather than force, because the nice motion is effective as well. If I do so, I have enough energy to cover the distance required.
—Guest Brown