How To Do Butterfly Stroke

Have you always wanted to know how to do butterfly stroke? Maybe you can swim butterfly already, but you find butterfly swimming technique exhausting?  

Either way, you have come to the right place! 

I have taken butterfly swimming technique and broken it down into its separate parts. That way, you will have a clear picture of what each part of your body should be doing at each point during the stroke. 

Butterfly Stroke Swimming Technique Video

The butterfly technique video below explains each part of the stroke and what your body should be doing as you swim.  



Take A Closer Look At Each Part of Butterfly Stroke



FREE Butterfly Stroke Technique eBook

FREE EBOOK:  all of the technique tips here can be found in my 'Butterfly Stroke Technique' book, along with a couple of bonus drills to help you perfect some essential parts of the stroke.

Don't miss out!  Click here to grab a FREE copy of my book. 


How To Do Butterfly Stroke - 12 Essential Parts

1.  As the body undulates, the swimmer maintains a stretched and streamlined position, led by the head.

2.  The shoulders remain horizontal as the movement flows smoothly.

Butterfly swimming stroke body movement for beginners

3.  The kick is simultaneous, rhythmical and powerful, remaining within the body width.

4.  The knees bend and provide a powerful downbeat whip-like action, with toes pointed and ankles relaxed.

Butterfly leg kick technique for beginners

5.  The simultaneous butterfly arm action begins with the hands entering the water, thumb and index finger first. 

6.  The hands press outwards and downwards in a powerful S shape pathway towards the hips, where they exit the water.

7.  The arms then recover over the water, ready to enter again, gaining maximum reach per stroke as they do so.

Butterfly swimming arm technique for beginners

8.  Butterfly breathing should take place every stroke or every other stroke, depending on the swimmer's ability.

9.  The swimmer exhales explosively as the head rises and then inhales quickly as the arms exit and the chin is clear of the water. 

Butterfly swimming stroke breathing technique

10.  The timing and coordination for butterfly stroke follow a 'kick, pull, kick, recover' sequence. 

11.  One kick supports the upward movement as the swimmer's arms pull and the head rises to breathe.

12. The second kick assists the undulation and propulsion as the arms recover.

Butterfly stroke timing and coordination

Get more from your butterfly stroke...

Do you need more butterfly technique tips and drills? Everything you need is right here in my popular book 'How To Swim Butterfly'. 

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The easy to follow guide to how to swim butterfly stroke
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I would like some competitive butterfly stroke swimming tips. 'Butterfly is the most physically demanding swimming stroke as it requires tremendous power and strength.'

I would like some advice about a problem with breaststroke leg kicks when swimming the butterfly stroke. 'It is important first to understand why your son is using a breaststroke leg kick each time he breathes for butterfly.'

I would like to learn butterfly swimming stroke and want some information .  'Butterfly swimming stroke is arguably the most physically demanding swimming stroke. It is rarely swum recreationally and is usually left to competitive swimmers to master.'

I need to conserve energy swimming butterfly stroke.  'Energy consumption during swimming is affected by three main areas: your pace, your swimming technique and your fitness level.'

Could you recommend any land exercises to improve butterfly stroke?  'A lot will depend on which aspects of her butterfly stroke need improving.'

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