How to Teach the Butterfly to Novice Swimmers

The butterfly is a challenging stroke for novice swimmers to learn because the arms and legs operate in two patterns – thrusting with the arms and kicking with the legs, while synchronizing breathing. It is best taught to novices in two separate parts, starting with the kick. Swimmers should begin in chest-deep water, with a kickboard and fins, to help the swimmer learn the movements and synchronize the kicking, stroke and breathing technique.

Things You'll Need

  • Fins
  • Kickboard
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Instructions

    • 1

      Teach the kick by having the swimmer stand in chest-deep water and assume the floating position. Extend the arms over the head holding a kickboard. Novice swimmers should wear fins when learning the kick to make moving through the water easier.

    • 2

      Instruct the swimmer to propel himself through the water using a dolphin kick. Teach the student to keep the legs together and push through the water in a single motion with both legs moving at the same time: down, and then up, with the knees bent on the downward motion, and straight with the upward kick.

    • 3
      Use a kickboard to teach the correct kick.

      Have the student do three to five laps around the pool practicing the kick. The swimmer will perform two kicks for each arm thrust. Use that pattern for practice laps.

    • 4

      Teach the stroke as a separate movement. Begin with the swimmer wearing fins, in chest-deep water in the float position, with the arms straight over his head and the backs of the hands touching.

    • 5

      Direct the swimmer to move both hands at the same time through the water in an hourglass motion, with the thumb and forefinger first, and the hands facing out and down. The hands sweep through the water, picking up speed, and leave the water at the hips just over the surface of the water.

    • 6
      The elbows bend as the arms sweep the water and the swimmer breathes.

      Tell the swimmer to keep his elbows straight as the arms exit the water, then relax the elbows and bend them slightly to sweep the arms over the surface of the water as the swimmer kicks, before beginning the next stroke.

    • 7

      Time the swimmer's breathing to coordinate with the stroke. The chin should be raised slightly over the water when the hands leave the water and sweep up the body to prepare for the next stroke.

    • 8

      Put the stroke together by standing behind the swimmer to guide his movements. Support the swimmer at the waist if needed. Start with two fast butterfly kicks. Engage the arms, and as the swimmer's arms leave the water, instruct him to relax, raise his chin just above the water and breathe.

    • 9

      Time the swimmer's kicks so that the first kick comes when his hands leave the water, and the second when the hands leave the water at the hips.