Butterfly Stroke Tutorial

In the most basic sense, anyone who can tread water or doggy paddle can swim, but professional athletes must specific swimming styles and techniques. One such technique is the butterfly, which features the swimmer face-down in the water and requires simultaneous stroke and kicking techniques. According to Swim City online database, the butterfly features a small window in which the swimmer has time to breathe, and missing this window can make the stoke very difficult. Mastering each movement can prepare you to take your swimming skills to competition or have a new way to swim in your backyard pool.

Instructions

    • 1

      Position yourself on your stomach with your arms stretched out in front of your shoulders. Cup your hands so that they move through the water more efficiently.

    • 2

      Draw your hands through the water back toward your legs. When your hands are near your thighs, lift your chin, take a breath and then drop your head back into the water.

    • 3

      Lift your arms out of the water when your hands reach the same level as your thighs. Throw your hands upward and forward toward your head, back to the initial start position. Your arms must come out of the water; they cannot drag through the water back to the start position.

    • 4

      Kick your legs up while your hands travel backwards, then down as they leave and enter the water going forward. This will propel you forward while your hands are moving back to the start position.