Why is it that often older people do a version of butterfly that looks very beautiful but leisurely, like water ballet as my coach says? What is it that we lack that prevents us from doing an energetic, aerobic looking butterfly. My coach says the snap of the legs will do it and I am working on that. Anything else? Thanks
You have always been able to use the frog kick with butterfly in Masters swimming. It counts for Masters world and national records. You can switch between dolphin and breaststroke kick as much as you want, but if you're using breaststroke kick you can only take one kick off the start and turns.
Some people over 65 still do a frog kick when they do fly as this is the way it was done back in the early 50s. There was talk about making that illegal, but I don't know if that ever came to pass.
I’m not sure what you mean by older people; there are some 60 and 70 year olds still tearing it up. Be thankful you have a butterfly that looks very beautiful.
But to your question, fast butterfly requires more upper body strength than other strokes. Also, it is the most difficult to maintain good position and technique as you begin to fatigue. And finally the recovery on butterfly requires more shoulder flexibility than any other recovery. As we age we naturally loose strength and flexibility. Working out with weights and stretching can help.
Other suggestions, in addition to leg snap (swimming fast 25’s or 50’s with fins will help this), would be to press with the chest on the entry, and use the finish of the stroke to accelerate the recovery.
Originally posted by mattson
Not just one 200 fly, but 10 of them... You know, suddenly I can't even do one stroke of butterfly. ;)
Scansy, you'll be pleased to know, besides the pictures and audio clips from Nationals, there is a mpeg file of your butterfly on the net. Enjoy. (I think my fly looks very similar.) :D
The link didn't work!:confused:
I can't even get the web page to come up. Also, I am at the office (I should be working!:D ), and can't install anything here without permission and a lot of paperwork. Either that or I have to corner the computer guy in the hall and threaten him.
I will try from home later.
My understanding is that frog kick with butterfly is now legal as long as you do that for the entire butterfly length. I am not sure that it counts for world records, though.
In his book "Swimming Dynamics" Cecil Colwin details the evolution of butterfly and breaststroke. It's a fantastic section - a great read.
From the FINA.org site listing rules......
SW 8.3 All up and down movements of the legs must be simultaneous. The position of the legs or the feet need not be on the same level, but they shall not alternate in relation to each other. A breaststroke kicking movement is not permitted
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Originally posted by HoosierRez
From the FINA.org site listing rules......
SW 8.3 All up and down movements of the legs must be simultaneous. The position of the legs or the feet need not be on the same level, but they shall not alternate in relation to each other. A breaststroke kicking movement is not permitted
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The USMS rule drops the last sentence and adds:
"The Breaststroke or whip kick may be used exclusively or interchangably with the dolphin kickwhile doing the Butterfly Stroke at any time during the race. However, when the breaststroke or whip kick is used, the arms must be recovered over the top of the water with each breaststroke or whip kick, except after the last such kick before the turn or finish. A scissors kicking movement is not permitted."
It's one of the few rule differences between masters and FINA.
