The Butterfly Lane

So Elaine... What we have learned here is that butterfly is more efficient for towing large objects through the pool with one's feet! Thanks for the post. I find it amazing how the eagle dispensed with trying to airlift the victim, and had the presence of mind (dare we say, intelligence?) to adapt to use his wings to pull the object through the water, instead! Amazing!

Watch this to see if it helps your kick at turns. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OUzh2wJb7s&feature=relmfu "The fly guy" OZ

All 4 strokes have an elbow bend of 90 degrees at some point in the stroke. The fly has it just under the shoulders, with the fingers close , but not touching or overlapping.

Would someone please diagnose the problem with my fly? July 15 2012 fly 2 - YouTube Here are the details: Did fly once in a meet - 50 LCM 39s:blush: 25M pushed is a low 16s, maybe less 100 is not possible 75 might be possible I generally do 25M x 4 on 2:00 (18 to 22s). Once tried that with many more repeats (25 x 11), but it actually resulted in a progress setback. My goal is not a particular distance yet, but to improve efficiency and do this stroke right. Thank you for reading, steve

Would someone please diagnose the problem with my fly? July 15 2012 fly 2 - YouTube Here are the details: Did fly once in a meet - 50 LCM 39s:blush: 25M pushed is a low 16s, maybe less 100 is not possible 75 might be possible I generally do 25M x 4 on 2:00 (18 to 22s). Once tried that with many more repeats (25 x 11), but it actually resulted in a progress setback. My goal is not a particular distance yet, but to improve efficiency and do this stroke right. Thank you for reading, steve Your hands are too far apart when you pull down. Look at this photo: www.usmsswimmer.com/issue.php and watch Misty Hyman: http://youtu.be/zmiyhPop6GI

Thank you That! I'll try it soon. How should it feel, like both hands are holding the same mass of water? I apologize for the responding questions but I have to learn by visual understanding of mechanisms and stuff. Does it allow forward body roll into the water through position, or is it just leverage and drag related?

Good underwater video of Phelps swimming fly: Michael Phelps - Butterfly 01 - YouTube Notice how his hands almost touch under his body--just like in the video of Misty Hyman.

How should it feel, like both hands are holding the same mass of water? Yes, I suppose so. Consider the alternative - if one hand is pulling more water than the other, then you will not swim in a straight line. I apologize for the responding questions but I have to learn by visual understanding of mechanisms and stuff. Does it allow forward body roll into the water through position, or is it just leverage and drag related? I'm not sure I understand the question. Pulling under the body puts less strain on the shoulders and elbows. So that might be leverage.

And I think it maximizes the propulsive phase of the stroke. In steve's video he pulls straight back and I don't think he's getting as much from each stroke as he could with a keyhole style pull.

To Steve, Did I notice that your fingers are spread apart? Whether a swimmer pulls deep or shallow is an individual preference. If your shoulders can handle the stress of a deeper pull, then the increased pressure per square inch of the deeper water provides more resistance, even if the angle of the hand and forearm are not theoretically perfect, in my opinion. If you want speed, then efficient use of energy comes second. Not that I am saying your pull isn't deep enough. It looks like it is. If you are spreading your fingers, then much of your pulling effort is wasted. I prefer a flat hand, thumbs going wherever they feel relaxed. They say 70% of the butterfly propulsion is in the arm pull, so maximize it with flat hands. This can take some strength in the forearms to accomplish.