Butterfly is the most dramatic stroke in swimming — and often the most misunderstood. It’s not about raw power. It’s about timing, rhythm, and staying connected to the water with every pull, kick, and breath.
These five resources break down the stroke into manageable pieces, helping swimmers of all levels refine their technique, improve endurance, and fly through the water with confidence.
How to Swim Butterfly for Beginners
What it is: A full-stroke breakdown from MySwimPro’s Fares Ksebati, covering the arm pull, dolphin kick, breathing, and drills — with a bonus gear recommendation for hand alignment.
Why we like it: This is a full-body primer, delivered clearly and confidently. While sponsored, it’s far from a sales pitch — it’s a real guide to understanding the stroke, piece by piece.
How to Do the Butterfly Pull
What it is: A detailed look at each phase of the butterfly arm pull — with visual guides, timing cues, and drills to reinforce the motion.
Why we like it: The pull is the engine of butterfly, and this video isolates it beautifully. A perfect pairing with a full-stroke overview.
How to Kick While Swimming Butterfly
What it is: A MySwimPro video that focuses entirely on the dolphin kick — explaining what often goes wrong, and how to fix it through form and targeted drills.
Why we like it: Most swimmers mess up dolphin kickinbg without realizing it. This video simplifies it, and gives you clear, focused fixes.
The 5 Best Butterfly Drills
What it is: A blog post with embedded videos demonstrating five of the most effective butterfly drills — from single-arm fly to body wave drills and more.
Why we like it: It’s clean, clear, and drill-focused — easy to integrate into workouts or practice plans. Great for variety and progression.
Head Position Drill
What it is: A TikTok tip from Swim Like A. Fish reminding butterfliers to keep their heads low between breaths, demonstrated with a simple drill.
Why we like it: Quick but valuable — this small tweak can dramatically improve efficiency and reduce fatigue. A perfect “why didn’t I learn this sooner” tip.
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