The Butterfly Lane

Fly use to be decent for me but now it a struggle. Any suggestions on how to do the recovery and release point into the recovery? I'm definitely no expert (I learned to swim fly this past June at the ripe old age of 55), but I am taking a stroke class at my local Masters club and last night the entire hour was dedicated to fly. The way the coach explained it was to use a keyhole-shaped pull after your hands enter the water at shoulder width, and as your hands pass your mid-section (the bottom part of the keyhole), to give a hard push past your hips and make sure your hands are bent at the wrist and pointing backward as you start the recovery (for the hand/wrist position, think of newer jets with the little winglets that point upward on the end of the wings). I had some pretty good success with this. My biggest issue is getting enough hip rotation and pushing down with my chest to initiate a nice "snap" motion for the kicks. After about 15 yards, my backend starts to sink, which results in my not being able to get my arms completely clear of the water. Good luck. If you swam it before, I'm sure you'll swim it again. :)

Every Monday at my Masters group is "Monday IM Madness". Since I am so new to swimming fly, Mondays are always a challenge for me, but after completing a 50 fly in between the 100 IMs, my coach hollered at me "nice fly, Debs". That made my day. :D All of the hard work is starting to pay off. It's been 5 months since I finally learned (i.e., conquered) swimming fly, and I'm beginning to think I may actaully be able to do a 50 fly in a swim meet this coming April. It won't be a record-breaking time, but just being able to do it is the goal. Good luck to you White Lightning and Swimosaur in your upcoming races. :cheerleader:

And, good luck to you, Deb, with your fly! Congratulations on your success thus far! :applaud: :cheerleader:

Thanks everyone. Ande, thanks for your help. I will let you know how it goes.

thought I'd bump all the lanes to the front page to encourage folks to comment in their lanes

I am going to swim my first 50 fly in 26 years on December 4th in Knoxville.:afraid: I've been splitting 14 high from a push in practice, but I am wondering what I should expect for the 1st and 2nd 25 splits. How would you handle this race Ande?

I am going to swim my first 50 fly in 26 years on December 4th in Knoxville.:afraid: Hey, I will see you there! I might be in the next lane, since I'm also swimming the 50 fly! :duel: Unfortunately it comes right after the 200 back, so I'll be pretty wasted. :whiteflag: I'm also swimming the 100 fly, for the first time since 1976 (except for the opening legs of a few 400 IMs). I think I've got the first three lengths covered, but I'm intimidated by that last one! The objective is not time (yet) ... it is to finish the race with dignity ... :wine:

hey white lighting, If you're pushing 14's in practice you should be able to go out faster from a dive, FOCUS on the process of swimming a fast 50 fly and don't worry about the outcomes (times or splits) Let your times will fall where they will have a coach or friend get your 25 split, have another friend video your race with her Iphone or video recorder my suggestions to you for your 50 fly are: 1) wear a fast suit 2010 Fina Approved Tech Suit & Aqua V cap 2) SHAVE 3) right before your race, talk with your coach and get psyched to swim fast 4) have a fast start, great dive, skinny streamline, fast SDK (know & do your kick counts) & break out well 4) Swim Fast: move your arms as fast as you can through full stroke cycles 5) hit your turn 5) bring it home 6) Hit your touch 7) keep your head down, breathe as few times as possible Below are 1, 2 or 3 breath options a. breathe only at the turn, b. breathe at the turn & half way back on the 2nd 25 c. breathe at the flags on the first length, the turn, & half way back on the 2nd Let us know how you swim, good Luck, Ande I am going to swim my first 50 fly in 26 years on December 4th in Knoxville.:afraid: I've been splitting 14 high from a push in practice, but I am wondering what I should expect for the 1st and 2nd 25 splits. How would you handle this race Ande?

Hey, I will see you there! I might be in the next lane, since I'm also swimming the 50 fly! :duel: Unfortunately it comes right after the 200 back, so I'll be pretty wasted. :whiteflag: I'm also swimming the 100 fly, for the first time since 1976 (except for the opening legs of a few 400 IMs). I think I've got the first three lengths covered, but I'm intimidated by that last one! The objective is not time (yet) ... it is to finish the race with dignity ... :wine: :chug: Cheers! And, good luck!! :cheerleader:

12 1st 25 with a start 14 2nd 25 26.0... a second for every year you were away. Welcome back. That'd be my goal if I was you anyway. :)