Hi,
I need help with my butterfly stroke. Does anyone know of any good drills that would help with the timing of breathing? I've been told that I breath too late in my stroke and lift my head too high. When I try to modify my stroke, I get a lung full of water. Any tips?
-GG
Parents
Former Member
I find that butterfly is, more than anything, a rhythm stroke. You need to feel the vertical axis rotation (technical gibberish for feeling the wave motion). Practice one arm fly - it's OK to breath on the side - and really emphasize the dolphin/wave feel.
In full stroke, breathe only every two or three strokes. In the non-breathing strokes, try to get that wavy feel back.
If your head is lifting too high, you may not be finishing your stroke. Practice any drill you do for freestyle stroke finish with fly. Think of lunging out of the water - look for the end of the pool - then finishing with the wave back into the pool.
All in all, three good stokes are better than thirty crappy ones. Just do what you can with your best technique, then go to one arm or kicking drills.
Good luck!
I find that butterfly is, more than anything, a rhythm stroke. You need to feel the vertical axis rotation (technical gibberish for feeling the wave motion). Practice one arm fly - it's OK to breath on the side - and really emphasize the dolphin/wave feel.
In full stroke, breathe only every two or three strokes. In the non-breathing strokes, try to get that wavy feel back.
If your head is lifting too high, you may not be finishing your stroke. Practice any drill you do for freestyle stroke finish with fly. Think of lunging out of the water - look for the end of the pool - then finishing with the wave back into the pool.
All in all, three good stokes are better than thirty crappy ones. Just do what you can with your best technique, then go to one arm or kicking drills.
Good luck!
