Butterfly Stroke

The butterfly stroke swimming technique is swum on the breast while moving both your arms concurrently. Although the other swimming styles such as the backstroke or breaststroke is easier to learn, butterfly stroke needs agility to be feasible. The butterfly stroke exercises the entire body because you're using both your arms, upper body, and feet to propel forward in the water. If you are just beginning to learn the butterfly stroke technique, the following article can be very useful.

How Beginner's Can Learn the Stroke

The butterfly stroke is combined with the dolphin kick (movement of the legs resemble kicking) and synchronized arm movement. The most crucial aspect of swimming this style is its technique. The body needs to move in a wave-like movement as it keeps the body floating over the water and gives the swimmer time to breathe properly between each stroke.

Steps to Know
There are three main components in learning how to swim the butterfly stroke: pull, push, and recovery. Till you reach the point where you need to learn how to swim competitive butterfly stroke, your first position will be in the water with your arms extended to the front, upper body resting on the chest, and the legs stretched to the back.

Step #1: The first step in perfecting the butterfly stroke is knowing the other, simpler swimming strokes before you begin. Butterfly stroke is technically the last style taught because it needs excellent body strength and endurance.

Step #2: Have your swimming instructor present while you learn the butterfly stroke, which means, you will not self-teach yourself. You will need a knowledgeable coach to guide you if any mistakes are made.

Step #3: Now we learn the dolphin kick. Keep both your legs together as if you are a mermaid, or merman, to imitate the fluid wave-like movement. You can also wear flippers while practicing the kick. Try to avoid the use of a kickboard as it will only mess up your posture during the kick, rather than helping you learn the correct technique.

Step #4: Actually, the kick is divided into two parts: the first kick is the big one, starting from your hips, keeping the knees bent and kicking the legs forward as the entire body jumps ahead. The second kick is a smaller one and comes in while the body is gliding; the entire body whips both the legs into the second kick.

Step #5: Once you have understood the role of your legs and the dolphin kick, let's shift gears and focus on the arms. Together, pull both your arms up and stretched on both sides. Swing them around your body and push them down the water, underneath your body while you do the dolphin kick. Your body will leap ahead and out of the water.

Step #6: When your arms are outside the water, your head will come up, which gives you a small amount of time to breathe. As the hands go underneath your body, you will bring your head inside the water and exhale (this movement looks as if you are diving in the water).

Step #7: Now you repeat the steps 3 to 6. Combining all these steps will give you one butterfly stroke. Keep practicing the style till the point you are gliding in the water.

As a beginner, the swimming technique has to be learned and perfected over time. Make sure you concentrate on each and every stroke, breathing pattern, and your entire body's movement.

Disclaimer ~ This article is not a substitute for a professional and trained swimming instructor. Whenever you begin to learn the butterfly stroke or any other swimming style for that matter, don't be alone in the pool. Always have someone along with you.