Physical Education

Unit - 7

7.2.2.Butterfly
Like the breaststroke, this is a difficult stroke and not recommended for beginners because it requires perfect timing and a good deal of strength. During the stroke, the legs move together in a dolphin kick (imagine a mermaid), the arms move together to push the water downward and backward, and the torso undulates like an earthworm as the body moves forward through the water.

The leg kick:

• Bend the knees slightly, and keep them together.
• Make a downward thrust by straightening the knees and whipping the feet downward.
• There should be two kicks for every arm stroke.

The arm stroke:

• Move the arms together, and pull through the water with the hands cupped.
• Face the palms outward, and press down and outward.
• Swing the arms forward above the water in a sweeping motion to complete the stroke.

The breathing:

• Breathe at the end of the arm stroke.

In Butterfly stroke, the hands are then pulled towards the feet until they reach the thighs, when they are thrown out of the water back to the original position. In order to lift the arms out of the water, the head needs to stay in the water at all times, except for when a breath is needed. The breath should be taken just as the arms reach the thighs and taken quickly so as not to disrupt the order of the stroke.