Swimming: Butterfly - Top Tips

To improve your Butterfly, practice the dolphin leg kick whilst on your side with or without a small float. Keep your feet together and start to drive the legs from your hips and keep your toes pointed. Take a good breath after every second leg kick to help create good timing.

When you're swimming full stroke Butterfly, ensure there are two kicks to every one arm pull. The second leg kick should help send your arms clear of the water surface. Breath every time you pull or breath every second pull to really work the lungs.

To improve your Butterfly technique, swim one full stroke then two strokes with your right arm and two strokes with your left arm and repeat. You will be able to swim further distances as there will be less fatigue through the shoulders and will develop good rhythm and timing.

To improve your Butterfly, practice the dolphin leg kick with or without a float on your front or back, keep your feet together and start to drive the legs from your hips. Take a breath after every second leg kick to help create good timing. (If a float is selected use a small flexible float so not to place stress on the lower back).

When you're swimming full stroke Butterfly, ensure your head drops down on the water surface as your arms are taken over the water. There is always two kicks to every one arm pull with the second leg kick helping send your arms clear of the water.

To improve your Butterfly breathing technique, swim with a breath taken to the front of the stroke or try breathing to the side of the stroke, whichever is more comfortable.

Kick Dolphin Legs whilst on your side. Stretch one arm down the pool above the head holding the top of a small float, keep the other arm by your side. Keep your feet together as you kick to opposite sides of the pool. This will help increase flexibility in your shoulders as well as condition the legs.