Best butterfly drills for beginners

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If you’re a beginner looking to improve your butterfly stroke in swimming, it’s important to practice the right drills. The butterfly stroke is known for its beauty and power, but it can be one of the most challenging strokes to master. With the right drills, however, you can make significant progress and become a more efficient and confident butterfly swimmer.

One of the best drills for beginners is the single-arm butterfly drill. In this drill, you focus on one arm at a time, which allows you to concentrate on your arm movement and body position. This drill helps improve your timing and coordination, and it also helps build strength in your arms and core. To do this drill, start by swimming butterfly with one arm extended in front of you, while the other arm remains by your side. Switch arms after a few strokes, and repeat the drill for several lengths of the pool.

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Another great drill for beginners is the dolphin kick drill. The dolphin kick is an essential component of the butterfly stroke, and practicing it separately can help you develop a strong and efficient kick. To do this drill, start by holding onto the edge of the pool or a kickboard, and practice kicking up and down with your legs together. Focus on keeping your feet pointed and your legs strong and engaged. As you become more comfortable with the motion, you can experiment with different rhythms and tempos to improve your speed and power.

Butterfly Kick Drill

One of the most important techniques in butterfly swimming is the butterfly kick. The butterfly kick provides the propulsion necessary for forward movement in the water. To improve this kick, beginners can practice a specific butterfly kick drill.

Begin by lying flat on your stomach in the water with your arms extended in front of you. Your legs should be together and slightly extended behind you. Start the drill by using a dolphin-like motion to kick both legs simultaneously. Bend your knees slightly as you kick and focus on creating a strong and powerful kick. Keep your legs and feet together throughout the drill, as this will help improve coordination and increase the effectiveness of the kick.

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  • Kick from the hips rather than the knees
  • Keep your kick controlled and steady
  • Engage your core muscles for stability
  • Practice the drill for short intervals, gradually increasing the duration as you improve

By incorporating the butterfly kick drill into your swim training routine, you can build strength, improve coordination, and enhance your overall butterfly technique. Remember to focus on the key elements of the drill and practice regularly to see progress in your butterfly kick.

The Body Dolphin Drill

The Body Dolphin Drill is a fundamental exercise for beginners learning the butterfly stroke. It focuses on developing the undulating body movement that is essential for efficient and powerful swimming. By practicing this drill, swimmers can enhance their core strength, flexibility, and body awareness in the water.

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In the Body Dolphin Drill, swimmers lie face down in the water and mimic the dolphin’s motion by propelling their bodies forward using a continuous undulating movement. This drill helps swimmers to understand the importance of hip and torso rotation in generating forward momentum while maintaining a horizontal body position.

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Key Points to Remember:

  • Start by pushing off the wall or using a streamline position to glide forward.
  • Keep the head in line with the body, looking down towards the pool bottom.
  • Engage the core muscles and maintain a long, streamlined body position throughout the drill.
  • Initiate the undulating movement from the hips, allowing it to ripple through the entire body.
  • Imagine moving like a dolphin, with a fluid and rhythmic motion.
  • Practice the drill in short distances, focusing on maintaining proper technique.

The Body Dolphin Drill is an excellent way for beginners to develop the coordination and strength required for the butterfly stroke. By mastering this fundamental movement, swimmers can progress to more advanced butterfly drills and eventually achieve an efficient and powerful butterfly technique.

One-arm drill

The one-arm drill is a beneficial exercise for beginners learning butterfly stroke. This drill helps swimmers focus on their arm movement and body rotation, allowing them to develop proper technique and improve overall performance. By isolating one arm, swimmers can concentrate on executing the correct movements and maintaining a balanced body position in the water.

During the one-arm drill, swimmers should extend one arm forward and keep it fully extended throughout the stroke, while the other arm remains at the side or resting on the body. This drill helps swimmers become aware of their arm alignment, hand entry, and pull, as well as their body roll and timing. By repeating this drill on both sides, swimmers can ensure that both arms are equally strong and coordinated.

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Instructions for the one-arm drill:

  1. Begin in a horizontal position in the water, with one arm extended forward and the other arm at the side.
  2. Focus on maintaining a streamlined body position and keeping your head looking down.
  3. Initiate the stroke by pressing your chest down and lifting your hips, allowing your arm to enter the water with a slight angle.
  4. Begin the pull by sweeping your palm outward and backward, while keeping your elbow high and your forearm perpendicular to the water’s surface.
  5. As your hand reaches your hip, rotate your body to the opposite side, using your core muscles to drive the movement.
  6. As your arm exits the water, extend it forward again while the other arm takes over the stroke.
  7. Repeat the drill, alternating arms.

Practicing the one-arm drill regularly will help beginners develop a strong foundation in butterfly stroke technique and build their strength and endurance. It is important to focus on maintaining proper form and gradually increasing speed and intensity as swimmers become more comfortable and confident in their stroke.

Underwater Butterfly Drill

The underwater butterfly drill is a crucial exercise for beginners who are learning the butterfly stroke in swimming. This drill focuses on developing a strong and efficient underwater kick, which is essential for maintaining momentum and speed in the water.

To perform the drill, swimmers start in a streamlined position underwater, with their arms extended above their head and their legs together. They then initiate a dolphin kick, using both their legs to create a wave-like motion. The emphasis is on generating power from the hips and core, rather than relying solely on the legs.

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One variation of the drill involves incorporating the arm stroke by extending one arm forward, while the other arm stays by the swimmer’s side. This helps to improve coordination and body position during the stroke. Swimmers can switch arms after a few kicks to practice even strokes on both sides.

By practicing the underwater butterfly drill regularly, beginners can develop a strong and efficient butterfly kick, which is essential for maintaining the correct body position and speed in the water. It also helps to improve core and leg strength, as well as overall coordination and technique for the butterfly stroke.

Butterfly Pull Drill

The butterfly pull drill is a foundational drill for beginner swimmers learning the butterfly stroke. It focuses on developing proper arm motion and body position in the water.

To perform the butterfly pull drill, start by lying face down in the water with your arms extended out in front of you. Your hands should be shoulder-width apart, and your palms should be facing down. Begin the drill by simultaneously pulling both arms back towards your hips, keeping your elbows high and maintaining a strong push against the water. As you pull your arms back, engage your core muscles and kick your legs in a dolphin-like motion.

  • Focus on maintaining a steady and rhythmical motion as you perform the drill.
  • Pay attention to your body position in the water, keeping your hips high and your head in line with your spine.
  • Practice breathing correctly by exhaling forcefully through your nose and mouth when your face is in the water, and taking quick breaths to the side when you turn your head to breathe.
  • Repeat the drill for several sets, gradually increasing the distance or time as you become more comfortable and proficient in the butterfly stroke.

The butterfly pull drill is an essential drill for beginners to master the proper technique and body position in the butterfly stroke. By practicing this drill regularly, swimmers can improve their arm motion, body position, and overall efficiency in the water.

Butterfly Single-Arm Drill

The butterfly single-arm drill is a great exercise for beginners to improve their butterfly stroke technique and build strength in their upper body. This drill focuses on isolating one arm at a time, allowing swimmers to focus on the correct movement and positioning of their arms.

To perform the butterfly single-arm drill, swimmers should start by extending their right arm forward in front of their body and keeping it straight. While keeping the right arm extended, the swimmer should perform a butterfly motion with their left arm, mimicking the full stroke. The swimmer should then switch arms and repeat the drill, focusing on keeping the arm straight and the movement fluid.

This drill helps beginners to develop the correct arm movements and timing required for an efficient butterfly stroke. By isolating one arm at a time, swimmers can focus on the proper technique and build strength in their arms and shoulders. This drill can be performed with or without a kick, depending on the swimmer’s comfort level and ability to maintain balance.

It is important for beginners to start with slow and controlled movements, gradually increasing the speed and intensity as they become more comfortable with the drill. Swimmers should also pay attention to their body position in the water, keeping their hips and legs high to reduce drag and increase efficiency.

  • Extend the right arm forward and straight.
  • Mimic the full stroke with the left arm.
  • Switch arms and repeat the drill.
  • Focus on proper technique and maintain body position.
  • Start with slow and controlled movements, gradually increase speed.

5 Best butterfly drills for beginners

Top Rated

Butterfly Swimming Drills for Coaches and Swimmers

Over 65 drills to enhance swimming skills
£6.99
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon price updated: November 11, 2025 12:03 am
Must-Have

FINIS Tempo Trainer Pro for Swimming Enthusiasts

Adjustable pace setting for serious swimmers
£52.70
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon price updated: November 11, 2025 12:03 am

Features

Part Number 1.05.120
Model 1.05.120
Color Yellow
Is Adult Product
Release Date 2011-11-05T00:00:01Z
Size S
The FINIS Tempo Trainer Pro is a critical tool for swimmers looking to improve their pacing through an audible beep system. Waterproof and user-friendly, it easily syncs with pace clocks and provides customizable training options for all types of athletes.
Trending Now

Swimming Resistance Tether Belt for All Strokes

Ideal for versatile aquatic training sessions
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon price updated: November 11, 2025 12:03 am

Features

Part Number K75GO2E47A802O82Q942T
Model K75GO2E47A802O82Q942T
Color red
Transform your swim workouts with our resistance tether belt, designed for Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly training. The comfortable neoprene material and durable design make it suitable for both serious training and leisure activities, perfect in any pool environment.
Hot Pick

Comprehensive Guide to Teaching Butterfly Technique

Step-by-step lesson plans for instructors
£17.99
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon price updated: November 11, 2025 12:03 am

Features

Is Adult Product
Release Date 2022-02-16T00:00:01Z
Language English
Number Of Pages 110
Publication Date 2022-02-16T00:00:01Z
This definitive guide offers detailed techniques and drills for teaching the butterfly stroke, making it an essential resource for swimming instructors. Learn everything from basic drills to advanced coaching strategies to effectively teach students of all levels.

Question-answer:,

What is the butterfly single-arm drill?

The butterfly single-arm drill is a swimming drill that focuses on improving the technique and strength of one arm during the butterfly stroke. It involves swimming with only one arm while the other arm is extended in front of the body.

Why is the butterfly single-arm drill important?

The butterfly single-arm drill is important as it helps swimmers develop a stronger and more efficient butterfly stroke. It allows swimmers to focus on one arm at a time, which can help improve their stroke technique, body position, and overall power and coordination.

How is the butterfly single-arm drill performed?

The butterfly single-arm drill is performed by swimming with one arm while keeping the other arm extended in front of the body. The swimmer should maintain a steady and smooth kicking motion throughout the drill and focus on proper arm movement and body position.

What are the benefits of the butterfly single-arm drill?

The benefits of the butterfly single-arm drill include improved stroke technique, increased strength in the arms and core muscles, enhanced body coordination, and better body position in the water. These benefits can help swimmers become more efficient and powerful in their butterfly stroke.

How often should the butterfly single-arm drill be practiced?

The frequency of practicing the butterfly single-arm drill will depend on the individual swimmer’s training plan and goals. However, it is generally recommended to include this drill in regular swim training sessions at least once or twice a week to see noticeable improvements in technique and strength.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the butterfly single-arm drill is a valuable swimming technique that can enhance performance and stroke efficiency in the butterfly stroke. By isolating one arm at a time, swimmers can focus on proper positioning, timing, and power generation, ultimately improving their overall butterfly stroke. This drill can also help swimmers identify and correct any imbalances or weaknesses in their stroke, leading to a more fluid and powerful technique. Incorporating the butterfly single-arm drill into training sessions can be a great way for swimmers of all levels to refine their butterfly stroke and achieve new levels of success in the water.

Harrison Clayton
Harrison Clayton

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