The complex swimming stroke known as the butterfly stroke requires strength and refined technique to be executed successfully. The stroke is characterized by the undulating motion of the body through the water and the use of both arms simultaneously, combined with a leg kick known as a dolphin kick.
History
The butterfly stroke is the newest of the four recognized competitive strokes. David Armbruster of the University of Iowa is the coach who is widely acknowledged with inventing the stroke in 1934. It evolved from traditional breaststroke and was originally performed with the breaststroke kick, but in 1935, a swimmer named Jack Seig developed a dolphin kick style, with both legs kicking together. This style is still used today.
Arm Action
Both arms work simultaneously. A complete arm movement starts with the hands in the water, elbows slightly bent, just in front of the head. The hands are then pulled downward toward the feet, moving in a keyhole motion. When the hands reach the thighs, they are pulled out of the water and thrown over the water, back to the starting position. The hands should enter the water at an angle, thumbs first. The entry point for the hands is in front of the head, between the shoulder and nose, with arms extended. The arm movement is constant throughout the stroke and should continue without pause.
Leg Kick
In butterfly, the legs also work simultaneously in an up-and-down motion. The feet should be pushed together. A two-beat dolphin kick uses two strong kicks: The first kick helps propel the arms over the water in the recovery phase, and the second kick is performed as the arms are moving through the water. The arm movement and leg kick together result in an undulating motion through the water.
Breathing
Breathing takes place as the arms are thrown over the water. The face comes out of the water, with the natural momentum of the stroke helping lift the head. Breaths must be taken quickly because of the continuous nature of the stroke. Swimmers typically breathe on every second stroke but can breathe more or less often.
Rules
The rules for swimming butterfly are set by FINA, the Federation International de Natation. For swimming butterfly legally in competition, the arms must be brought forward together over the water and work simultaneously. For turns, the swimmer should touch the wall with both hands together. The legs must also work together, which means they should not alternate during kicks. Swimmers may stay underwater for a maximum of 15 meters at the start of the race and after turns.
Member Comments
tranquiltrike January 10
FY--You have listed the name of the swimmer at the University of Iowa who first mastered the butterfly stroke as "Jack Seig". The correct spelling for his name is Jack Sieg.
Otherwise, very informative article. As a University of Iowa graduate, I am very proud to say I learned how to swim the butterfly at the Fieldhouse Pool (the very pool where the stroke was developed) on the University of Iowa campus, way back in Fall 1991 during an evening Master's Swimming class, under the tutelage of a man whose name unfortunately escapes me at the moment, but who was then the Chinese National Olympic Team coach... what he was doing in Iowa at the time I wish I could say I'd asked him. Twenty years later, I am still enjoying swimming the butterfly stroke and fine-tuning, thanks to the kind Chinese coach... only the fine tuning occurs these days in the pools in and around Logroño, Spain, where butterfly perfection is as yet a bit of a rarity.
GO HAWKS!!!
Thanks!
Paul Clark Behrend
Logroño, Spain
tranquiltrike January 10
Oooops!! It appears I was a bit hasty in my correction... further reading proves the correct spelling for Jack's last name to be as it is written in the article above--Seig. More fine tuning needed on this end...
Cheers!
Paul Clark Behrend
still in Logroño, Spain
tranquiltrike January 10
Ok, last post about this... I'm not sure about the correct spelling of Jack's last name...as seen on the sculpture of Jack at the University of Iowa Campus Recreational and Wellness Center, the spelling is "Sieg", but the plaque in front of the sculpture has the spelling as "Seig". I have seen it spelled mostly as Sieg. All I can say is: Jack was a great swimmer!
Hasta luego,
Paul Clark Behrend
turning of the computer in Logroño, Spain