How to Teach the Butterfly Stroke

The butterfly stroke is a complicated swimming technique that can be rewarding when learned correctly. The stroke is divided into two parts: leg thrusting and shoulder stroke. Learn and practice each part separately; when you are confident that you have mastered both parts, combine them to do a proper butterfly stroke. The following tips will allow you to instruct intermediate swimmers on the basics of the butterfly stroke.

Things You'll Need

  • Swimming area
  • Kick-boards
Show More

Instructions

  1. Leg Thrusting

    • 1

      Instruct each swimmer to get a kick-board and enter the swimming area.

    • 2

      Demonstrate the leg thrust by thrusting with one movement of both legs instead of the traditional scissor kick. This movement can be likened to "doing the worm" with the lower half of your body.

    • 3

      Instruct the students to use kick-boards and do two to four laps practicing the leg thrust alone. The first lap will be awkward, but by the third and fourth lap the movement will feel more natural.

    Shoulder Stroke

    • 4

      Instruct students to keep their hands firmly pointed (this will increase the resistance to the water and add to the thrust of the shoulder stroke).

    • 5

      Push one hand at a time from the waist, up over the shoulders, and then down in front of the head in one swift movement. The head should be thrust above the water for a breath and also to increase the power of the dive into the second movement.

    • 6

      Pull the hands under the torso and back to the waist, where the stroke began. This completes one stroke.

    • 7

      Practice the stroke five to 10 times in a stationary position, then combine with the leg thrusts for the full butterfly stroke.