How To Swim Butterfly In 7 Steps!

We are talking about the stroke of butterfly, which is perhaps the hardest stroke in swimming? It’s a stroke so many of us avoid due to its level of difficulty. Our mission is to change that, so Heather and James have a handful of tips that will make swimming butterfly that bit easier!

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How can something that when done well looks so majestic and easy actually be such an effort to even attempt let alone master?!

We are talking about the stroke of butterfly. Yup, we can feel you nodding with us, it’s a stroke so many of us avoid due to it’s level of difficulty. Our mission is to change that, so Heather and James have a handful of tips that will make swimming butterfly that bit easier.

Essentially the movement of your arms through the water is rather similar to front crawl, the big difference is they are doing the pull simultaneously rather than alternating. This means you double the power throughout the pull phase but it comes with a caveat, you need to lift both arms out of the water on the recovery at the same time, requiring good timing, flexibility and strength. Let's crack on and address these areas.

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Photos: © Triathlon / Getty Images

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[gtn]

Do you include butterfly in your swim training? 🏊‍♂

[mikeygilmour]

One of the things that annoys me about learning butterfly is the fact that, usually, I'm the only one in the pool doing it and it looks like I'm flapping around like a drowning fish so I get a little self conscious.

Anyway, this video defo has some of the best lessons and tips I've seen for learning butterfly and I see where what I've been doing in my practice up to now marries up to what youse say in the video, which is encouraging.

I'm going to save this video for future reference.

[yihongli]

I don't get why it's called "fly", because it's more like "die"

[susannaviles]

This is way ahead of where I am at with swimming, but it is so interesting to see it explained. Butterfly is just one of those things that has always mystified me.

[rolandhoward]

My Garmin can detect my freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke. When I try butterfly it just shrugs.

[SayMcGillicuddy]

very good timing GTN. My coach is on at me about that second dolphin kick but I've never been able to quite visualise it. Excellent demo Heather & cameraperson, thanks a million

[xeniabelsey]

Yes very helpful and well documented. Thanks

[blashauwu]

Nice drills!! will definitely try them out!

[mariat.]

Love your channel guys, greetings from Mexico! I began swimmming lessons in August and your videos have been a valiable resource.

[pranjalbhattacharjee]

the only video you need to understand butterfly. thank you for this!

[rogerrichardson]

You helped me a lot on my swimming skills!!!

[epicjuk]

Great video thank you very much watching from London

[robohippy]

I have been attempting to learn the fly again after 50 years of not swimming it. Actually started swimming again about 15 years ago to prepare for bilateral hip replacement and one knee replacement. They have changed how they teach it. I have found that a gliding stroke when you throw your arms out front helps me with the timing. I think this is the idea behind the 'Shaw' method of fly. I believe that the entire body is used for generating the 'crack the whip' action of the dolphin kick, except for the breathing kick, The breath kick is generally higher amplitude and you can't totally engage your core since you are inhaling. Your calorie burn and oxygen burn go way up when swimming the fly, like way up....

[rogerrichardson]

you helped me a lot on my swimming skills!!!🏊‍♂🏊‍♂🔥

[anomalyp]

1:42...what an absolutely majestic piece of footage

[chunyuenlau]

The drills look promising to improve your butterfly.👍 Will give it a try.

[marie-louisekarlander]

Thanks for a great video. Many triathlete do not think they will need butterfly for compete in triathlon. But really it can be necessary when the swim is in wavy water. At least practicing the kick . As more you can swim you will feel more comfortable in the water. Butterfly is the most demanding way but many say that actually breaststroke is the most difficult way.

[kabeteward]

Thanks for the tips u gise r awesome. 😘

[olya]

Thanks for these tips! I think I’ll try will pullboy to alternate hands a bit, so far my weak point are legs, can’t give a nice kick and that’s how it slows me..😞 I’ve just started this beautiful stroke hope to master it soon. Thanks a lot! 💙🫶

[lucykrug]

Thank you for this video! My coaches have tried to teach me but I just have not got it. I am still failing at it but am getting better. Thank you so much! :D