I've heard a lot of stories about how if you don't know how to do fly properly you could seriously wreck your shoulders.
One story one of my friends told me that a friend of hers dislocated her shoulder in the middle of a race.
I do want to try it but I'm a bit intimidated to tell the truth. Plus, I'll look ridiculous the first time I try :blush:. Total embarrassment I'd predict.
Any tips to get over the fear?
Parents
Former Member
Some good suggestions above.
Body position, balance, undulation will make this stroke much faster and easier than just developing a powerful kick and strong pull. The hardest way to swim fly is when you're oriented vertically in the water as if you were just treading water unable to get enough air. Body undulation can be gentle (small amplitude) and still allow your head to rise sufficiently to breathe easily and have your arms clear the water on recovery. As far as the armpull, don't make your triceps do all the work - use the big back muscles that don't fatigue so quickly.
Hands go in, hips go up, and chest goes deep. Position your arms in a high-elbow catch then let the big back muscles go to work when your chest starts to rise back up. If you can finish your armpull strongly, then you will be able to do a "ballistic" recovery so the upper back / neck muscles don't fatigue so quickly.
One-armed fly with fins is a good drill. I also like breaststroke w/ dolphin kick and fins, which also is a low-energy way to play with the body balance and undulation. Don't kick very hard with the fins while learning the stroke rhythm.
Seriously - when you get the pieces put together, butterfly is an elegant stroke that feels great to swim. It's well worth the effort.
Some good suggestions above.
Body position, balance, undulation will make this stroke much faster and easier than just developing a powerful kick and strong pull. The hardest way to swim fly is when you're oriented vertically in the water as if you were just treading water unable to get enough air. Body undulation can be gentle (small amplitude) and still allow your head to rise sufficiently to breathe easily and have your arms clear the water on recovery. As far as the armpull, don't make your triceps do all the work - use the big back muscles that don't fatigue so quickly.
Hands go in, hips go up, and chest goes deep. Position your arms in a high-elbow catch then let the big back muscles go to work when your chest starts to rise back up. If you can finish your armpull strongly, then you will be able to do a "ballistic" recovery so the upper back / neck muscles don't fatigue so quickly.
One-armed fly with fins is a good drill. I also like breaststroke w/ dolphin kick and fins, which also is a low-energy way to play with the body balance and undulation. Don't kick very hard with the fins while learning the stroke rhythm.
Seriously - when you get the pieces put together, butterfly is an elegant stroke that feels great to swim. It's well worth the effort.
