After the front crawl, the butterfly stroke is the second-fastest stroke. At first, there was only one swimming style: the crawl, breaststroke or backstroke. The breaststroke is the basis of butterfly and it requires great upper body strength. Although the butterfly stroke requires a lot of strength, it is also physically demanding. Butterfly is a very technical style of swimming. Although it is challenging, the stroke can be improved on speed. This style of swimming on your chest involves raising the upper body above the water. Both arms then perform a broad, symmetrical, powerful stroke that is followed by the butterfly kicke.
It is vital to learn the proper technique for butterfly stroke. This style is considered the most difficult. The biggest problem is how to simultaneously return the arms and entire body back to their original positions while simultaneously breathing. This swimming technique involves synchronized movements of the arms and legs. Mark Young explains that the “Butterfly stroke body motion” is an undulating movement. The movement is a propulsion mechanism that keeps the stroke flowing if done correctly. The swimmer starts in the first position, lying on her chest. Arms and legs are extended forward. There are three phases to the butterfly stroke. The pull, push, and recovery are the three major phases of the butterfly stroke. The swimmer must first catch the water. To do this, the hands should sink to about shoulder-width. The pitch of your hands changes during the pull>> phase. Your hands are almost vertical and the angle becomes deeper. The push>>(phase pushes your palm backwards into the water below the body. The recovery>> (phase moves the arms forward and sideways along the water surface. Your fingertips should be first to the water.
Kicking creates waves in the water, creating a motion similar to kicking. To save effort, the legs need to be kept together. Hips should be the source of the kick’s upbeat. The downbeat should be sounded by the hips. Bend your knees, then straighten them. Feet pointing down. The rules don’t specify how many kicks a swimmer must do per cycle. It is a matter of convenience. Usually, there are two hits per cycle. Some athletes can combine breaststroke leg movements and butterfly arm movements. It is very natural, as the butterfly emerged around 1953 as a breaststroke type. These combinations were allowed up to 2001. Although exceptions are still allowed, most swimmers prefer to swim in wavy motions. Butterfly kick serves two main purposes. Butterfly kick balances the arm action. The body also benefits from the propulsion provided by it. A smooth, powerful movement for the swimmer is possible only when the leg kick and arm action are in sync.
It is common to take a deep breath with each stroke. This is the best way to travel long distances. It is possible to take one deep breath for each stroke, but it will slow down the speed. The breathing cycles of non-breathing and breathing are equal in speed for trained swimmers, so they can take a breath at every stroke. Swimmers can also use the sequence “two with one breath, one without”, which places less strain on their lungs. Swimmers with strong lungs can use the “every threerd” sequence, especially for short distances. Short distances may cause some athletes to not be able take in any breath.
