This may be a repeat, sorry, but I think it deserves some more discussion. I was a "mediocre" (B team) high school swimmer. I swam the 200 I.M. and the 100 butterfly, pretty much because that was what was left for me to swim. In 1967 you could change your kick in the high school butterfly, at the begining of a pool length. So I swam the first 75 yards dolphin kick (one kick only) and did the last 25 yards with the frog kick (again, only frog, no small dolphin kick). Now I am 55 years old, returned to swimming in September 2004, after doing no swimming since 1968. I train three times a week with a group of masters with a coach (I do swim on my own a couple of days more. Our practices last about an hour with an average 2,000 meters total. I swim mostly freestyle and occasionaly will swim the 50 meter butterfly at a meet. Somehow I am now doing the double kick dolphin kick and gliding more at the end of each cycle, which my coach says is bad, but which I do because if I don't, I'll slip fast into a butterstruggle. One of these days I went back to my old one dolphin kick only and no glide at the end of the cycle and swam faster for 25 meters in practice. Then I figured I could do it at a meet and swam 50 meters long course using this method. I practically died at the flags doing the last 7 meters in weird shape and form. The guy with the stopwatch asked me if I was okay, and I said, yes and slowly got out of the pool and recuperated. I just went into extreme oxygen debt and/or fatigue, but 50 meters (?), nothing dangerous or harmful could or would happen. Okay, I know I should go to a pool with a stopwatch and do time trials of the different strokes I am able to perform. I will do that. Here is my question, for longer distances and in my case for the 50 yard or meter long or short course butterfly: give me input on three options please: 1- get into better shape and do the one dolphin kick all out butterfly with no gliding, 2- do the two kick dolphin kick with gliding but make it more efficient, and 3- practice and perform the butterfrog with gliding (as shown here in a video) and make that my only method of swimming the butterfly. Thanks for any input, especially tips on how to make the frog and glide more efficient, or make the two kick dolphin kick more efficient with less gliding, or how go get through a 50 meter butterfly without dying in the last 10 meters, billy fanstone
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I’m amazed at how much I’ve learned about swimming in the past five years since I (for the first time) started my butterfly practice. The biggest revelation has been the importance of core body strength.
I think a glide is OK in fly, and can be incorporated w/o causing serious damage to the timing. Personally I find a glide necessary most of the time, especially on longer distances. You may not get 1st at the meet, but a personal record in fly is better than no record at all.
I think dolphin kick is the only way to go. I’ve found it extremely helpful to do various lengths of dolphin kick sets on my back, arms straight in front (no kick board). This is the only drill I’ve ever consistently done, and I still do it.
To get fly right, you have to think "forward", not "up".
I’ve never used fins, but it is pretty obvious to me that they can help a lot to get over the critical points in technique development.
Conditioning is important, but good timing and technique is everything. You will probably never be happy w/ your fly until you get an in-depth understanding of the movements and how they are coordinated. Fly is by far the most sensitive to this, but getting it right has major rewards.
I’ve compiled some of my ideas and resources here:
http://kb4u.net/swim/fly.html
I rarely post this link (it is currently a blind page), and it could use some updates, but I hope it helps you.
With enough practice and study you will likely be able to find a technique, or even a variety of techniques that will be right for you (for different speeds and distances).
For me the ultimate test is how well I can keep my form at the end of my practice session (when I’m the most tired).
I practice fly every time I swim. I love my abs now! :-D
I’m amazed at how much I’ve learned about swimming in the past five years since I (for the first time) started my butterfly practice. The biggest revelation has been the importance of core body strength.
I think a glide is OK in fly, and can be incorporated w/o causing serious damage to the timing. Personally I find a glide necessary most of the time, especially on longer distances. You may not get 1st at the meet, but a personal record in fly is better than no record at all.
I think dolphin kick is the only way to go. I’ve found it extremely helpful to do various lengths of dolphin kick sets on my back, arms straight in front (no kick board). This is the only drill I’ve ever consistently done, and I still do it.
To get fly right, you have to think "forward", not "up".
I’ve never used fins, but it is pretty obvious to me that they can help a lot to get over the critical points in technique development.
Conditioning is important, but good timing and technique is everything. You will probably never be happy w/ your fly until you get an in-depth understanding of the movements and how they are coordinated. Fly is by far the most sensitive to this, but getting it right has major rewards.
I’ve compiled some of my ideas and resources here:
http://kb4u.net/swim/fly.html
I rarely post this link (it is currently a blind page), and it could use some updates, but I hope it helps you.
With enough practice and study you will likely be able to find a technique, or even a variety of techniques that will be right for you (for different speeds and distances).
For me the ultimate test is how well I can keep my form at the end of my practice session (when I’m the most tired).
I practice fly every time I swim. I love my abs now! :-D
