I'm basically new to swimming and I have two questions. I've included more background/basic info below if it's needed.
1. Is it a terrible idea to try to teach myself the butterfly? If not, what are the best resources I might consult? I've found some TI videos and thought I'd start with those (I find these especially appealing because they seem to emphasize using the core muscles.)
2. If it is a bad idea to try the butterfly on my own, could I do a breaststroke with a dolphin kick?
I've always enjoyed swimming, but due to joint problems I've recently started using it as my primary fitness regimen. I've been swimming two or three times a week for about a month - mainly head-up freestyle, and I've been getting outpaced by little-old-ladies (no offense to the little-old-ladies, in fact they're the one who have inspired me to work on my technique). I want to be a good, strong swimmer. I don't envision myself ever swimming competitively, though I suppose that could be cool eventually. I plan to take a swimming class, but the one in my area that seems most suited to my needs doesn't begin for about a month.
I did my first face in the water freestyle today. It did not go well. Turning and breathing was far more complicated than I imagined. I also tried the *** stroke, but the kick felt awkward. After some internet searching, I feel like I would like the butterfly, but I keep reading about how complicated it is.
Hi JSB, you could try to teach yourself the butterfly, although given that you are a beginning swimmer and have a hard time swimming with your face in the water, you might want to spend some more time working on the freestyle first...
If you still want to teach yourself the butterfly, there are a variety of drills to work on - you should focus on kicking drills such as streamline kick on back, or kick with board, and kick on your side. You can then move on to drills that incorporate the pull, like single arm or single double single.
As for the breaststroke pull, dolphin kick - that is actually a drill that is used by many swimmers. But I would focus more on developing the basic elements of swimming - kicking, core strength, breathing ability, before tackling this type of drill.
And I would certainly advise working with a swimming instructor to improve your skills. If you need instructional videos in all of the 4 strokes, you should check out the Swimspire video collection: www.swimspire.com/videos.
Good luck!
Hi JSB, you could try to teach yourself the butterfly, although given that you are a beginning swimmer and have a hard time swimming with your face in the water, you might want to spend some more time working on the freestyle first...
If you still want to teach yourself the butterfly, there are a variety of drills to work on - you should focus on kicking drills such as streamline kick on back, or kick with board, and kick on your side. You can then move on to drills that incorporate the pull, like single arm or single double single.
As for the breaststroke pull, dolphin kick - that is actually a drill that is used by many swimmers. But I would focus more on developing the basic elements of swimming - kicking, core strength, breathing ability, before tackling this type of drill.
And I would certainly advise working with a swimming instructor to improve your skills. If you need instructional videos in all of the 4 strokes, you should check out the Swimspire video collection: www.swimspire.com/videos.
Good luck!
