Imagine a dolphin swimming out at sea, look how fluid and streamlined they are in the water. When swimming butterfly this is what you should aim for - a continuous wave like motion of your whole body. A lot of people find butterfly the hardest stroke to swim, however once you have learnt to swim it, butterfly is actually the second fastest stroke and it can take less energy than breaststroke.

Have a look at the cartoon above. You will see the legs kick together twice whilst the arms complete one full stroke. This leg kick is sometimes called the ‘dolphin kick’. The legs kick as the arms enter the water and again as the arms are midway through the stroke.

The timing and rhythm of butterfly is very important, if this is wrong it makes it very difficult to lift your arms out of the water. Study the cartoon above to see where you arms should be in relation your leg kick. If you find this stroke difficult do not worry, as you get older and stronger you will find it easier.