25 Meter Butterfly Standards

The butterfly stroke is one of the more complicated swimming strokes an athlete can perform. It requires a significant amount of strength and endurance to keep the proper form for 25 meters. As with most other things, practice makes perfect. Practicing the standards of the butterfly stroke will help you keep the proper swimming form and help improve your time over 25 meters.

  1. Standard Arm Motion

    • Your arms are going to make an over-and-under move in the water. Extend your arms out in front of you while you're in the swimming position (floating on your stomach and ready to propel yourself forward). Swoop both arms down in a circular motion until they are at the sides of your thighs. Lift your arms out of the water and place them in front of you and repeat the motion. This is the basic butterfly stroke and will be the main movement that will propel you forward.

    Standard Leg Motion

    • The motion of your legs is just as important as the proper arm stroke. Your legs and feet should squeeze tightly together with your toes pointed away from you. Bend your knees and kick twice during a stroke, once when your arms are swooping down and another when your arms are coming back up. There's technically no set amount of kicks (also referred to as a dolphin kick) you can perform, but the standard is two per stroke.

    Standard Head Movement/Breathing

    • Understanding when and how to breathe during this complicated stroke is essential to maintaining the proper form and stamina. Missing just one breath because due to mistiming can adversely affect your performance during the rest of your swim. The standard way of breathing during the butterfly stroke is to point your chin forward as your arms are swooping downward in the water. As your arms swoop downwards, your body will rise out of the water slightly. This provides a short opportunity to lift your head take a short breath. Lifting your head at any other time during the stroke will break rhythm and the standard form. It's important to note that you don't need to take a breath for every stroke you take. Breath as needed during your swim.

    Putting It Together

    • The standard butterfly stroke will make the body move in a wave similar to that of dolphins. This movement is only possible when you combine the standard arm movement, leg movement and breathing together. If you're having trouble putting together a solid butterfly stroke, remember that this move is complicated and requires practice. The best way to perform a standard butterfly stroke for 25 meters is by practicing the individual moves separately and then slowly putting them together as you master each one.