Level: beginner
The butterfly style is usually the last stroke you are taught, because it requires strength, endurance and smooth movements, all qualities that you should have developed while learning the other swim strokes. “Well begun is half done”, so the saying goes, so let’s see how we can learn the butterfly start.
For the butterfly you dive forwards off the starting block at the edge of the pool.
After issuing the command “take your mark”, the starter will give the signal to “GO”. There are then two techniques you can use for diving in: the Grab-Start or Track-Start.
GRAB START
With this technique your feet are parallel, shoulder’s width apart, at the front edge of the block.
Your hands, which are placed between your feet, grab hold of the edge of the block; your knees should be slightly bent so that you can push off strongly with your legs.
When you hear the command “go”, extend your body forwards and push backwards with your feet against the starting block. Your arms should thrust forward beneath your chest, bending your elbows so that you can begin to raise your head as if you were looking down towards the other end of the pool before returning it to its position between your shoulders. Your arms stop moving when they are…
