Dolphin/ butterfly technique

The position and posture of body is not constant in case of butterfly strokes. The motions and movements of body are wave like. It is swum on the breast with both arms simultaneously. These motions are accompanied by the butterfly/dolphin kick. Meanwhile shoulders are above water surface.

This style is similar to freestyle, but the dolphin technique means that both legs are synchronized with each other by using different set of muscles. The feet are pressed together and their upward and downward movement happen at the same time. Feet kicks have two phases: one of them is a downward motion, the other one is pointing upward. The feet are pointing downwards while giving downward thrust, moving up the feet and pressing down the head. Feet are turned inward gently. The feet splash into the water finally. The upward motion is done with tight hips and stretched arms. (Knees must not be bended in this phase). Legs should be lifted until they are at the level of the hips.

The arm movement of dolphin style is very similar to freestyle, but here arms are above water surface and both arms should be pushed forward at the same time and pushed them backward under water all at once. The arm tempo can be divided into two phases; the one which is above water surface and the other one which is under water. The butterfly stroke has three major parts: the pull, the push and the recovery ones. The hands sink a little down with the palms facing outward; down at shoulder width then the hands catch the water. The push pushes the palm backward through the water underneath the body. The arm is stretched, palms face toward thighs. The movement is initiated by lifting up the shoulder and the elbow. When the arm is out of the water gently pushes forward with bended elbow. Hands turn outward preparing to enter the water. Then the swimmer enters into the recovery phase. The speed at the end of the push is used to help with the recovery.

Synchronizing the movements of the arm and leg are indispensable. One arm stroke is followed by two leg strokes. The first downward leg movement is done when the swimmer’s arm enter the water and pulls outward, the second one is carried out when the arm is in the push phase. The first leg tempo lasts longer and stronger and this pushes forward the body and keeps it at streamlined position. The second tempo protects the hips from sinking. There is not a significant difference between the two tempos in case of the classical butterfly-stroke. Inhalation lasts from the entering phase of the arm into water until the first phase of push.