hello
I have been swimming fly for 5 years, but just a week ago somebody told that my stroke is wrong.
When I first learned butterfly I used to focus a lot on my kick, so my stroke was very slow. Then my coach told me to focus on my arms, get them fast and my kick would eventually catch up with the speed.
Then I kept on doing fly but wihout a coach, I eventually got faster, but here is why my stroke is wrong: I don't kick two times every stroke, I only do it once, and anybody ever told me!
So, my time for a 50 fly SCM is 32" high, and for 100 SCM is 1' 13"
I started to do 2 kicks every stroke, but my times are x10 slower, like 40" for a 50 SCM fly :cane:(the only positive thing is that I get a lot less tired than
with the other stroke)
Here is a video of me from 6 months ago:
‪50 fly SCM‬ - YouTube
There you can clearly see that I only kick once every stroke.
So, my question is, how do I correct my stroke without losing too much speed in the process?
Because with the current speed of my arms, there is no way to kick two times, so I have to slow down and let them still infront of me for a moment so I kick a second time.
Thanks
Parents
Former Member
You certainly have the right idea, Fly is all about the kick. It is more of a full body motion however, which can take some time to understand.
Try these for improving your fly:
From the USMS site:
Teaching Masters to Master the Butterfly: West Side Fly Progression
From Coach Emmett Hines (h2oustonswims.org):
Slip-Slid'n' Away
Vive le Papillon!
Looks like you may not need to do all of what is suggested... but if you read those through, you will likely get some additional good ideas that will help you improve better towards your goal.
Sometimes it can be helpful to slow down at first, and increase the amplitude of your stroke, to get the timing right... then work on speeding it up, and flattening it out. This can be a long process, but it seems you've been at it a while anyway. If you try this "slow down approach", try working a glide into your stroke. The "no-arm fly drill" suggestion looks really good for helping with this.
Think "Forward"... not "Up"... while focusing on always keeping the hips as high as possible. Good flexibility helps on this... a lot.
Occasionally when you practice, try letting the legs kind of drag behind you, while still giving kicks. The REAL power of the kick comes from the core, not the legs. One really pleasing side effect of this is a kick a** set of abs. ;)
You will know when you hit the sweet spot... and when you do, you will want more.
There is a remarkable collection of articles at www.svl.ch/svlimmat_ratind.html ... you may find something useful there as well.
There are some excellent comments, suggestions, and links in this thread! Special thanks to knelson for the Mary T. Meagher vid link... what a beautiful example. She really drives forward with such graceful power.
Have Fun!
:)
You certainly have the right idea, Fly is all about the kick. It is more of a full body motion however, which can take some time to understand.
Try these for improving your fly:
From the USMS site:
Teaching Masters to Master the Butterfly: West Side Fly Progression
From Coach Emmett Hines (h2oustonswims.org):
Slip-Slid'n' Away
Vive le Papillon!
Looks like you may not need to do all of what is suggested... but if you read those through, you will likely get some additional good ideas that will help you improve better towards your goal.
Sometimes it can be helpful to slow down at first, and increase the amplitude of your stroke, to get the timing right... then work on speeding it up, and flattening it out. This can be a long process, but it seems you've been at it a while anyway. If you try this "slow down approach", try working a glide into your stroke. The "no-arm fly drill" suggestion looks really good for helping with this.
Think "Forward"... not "Up"... while focusing on always keeping the hips as high as possible. Good flexibility helps on this... a lot.
Occasionally when you practice, try letting the legs kind of drag behind you, while still giving kicks. The REAL power of the kick comes from the core, not the legs. One really pleasing side effect of this is a kick a** set of abs. ;)
You will know when you hit the sweet spot... and when you do, you will want more.
There is a remarkable collection of articles at www.svl.ch/svlimmat_ratind.html ... you may find something useful there as well.
There are some excellent comments, suggestions, and links in this thread! Special thanks to knelson for the Mary T. Meagher vid link... what a beautiful example. She really drives forward with such graceful power.
Have Fun!
:)
