Butterfly Arms

Butterfly Arms (skill)

Definition: The butterfly arms are a choreography or dance move: begin and finish each stroke cycle in position 11, push water down under the body, flair outwards into "airplane" (arms wide, elbows straight, thumbs aimed down at the bottom of the pool), sweep forward with the back of the hand leading, clap the back of the hands over the head, and finish in position 11.

Core cues:

1. "Extend to 11 & Airplane"
2. "Begin and finish each stroke cycle in position 11."
3. "Emphasize long reaching arms in position11."
4. "After the arms push water down under the body, they flair outwards into 'airplane' which is arms wide, elbows straight, and thumbs aimed down at the bottom of the pool."
5. "Sweep forward with the back of the hand leading."
6. "Clap the back of the hands over the head, and finish in position 11."
7. "Start with slow deliberate motions to learn the choreography or dance move that is the butterfly arms."
8. "Most issues with new swimmers will be solved if you focus on the motion over the swim or the power of the arms."
9. "Start teaching the arms on deck with slow movements focusing on large motions."
10. "Use familiar target language like 'streamline,' 'position 11,' and 'airplane.'"
11. "Create a flow of motions with the arms"

Coach interpretation:

• "Begin and finish each stroke cycle in position 11": Watch that the swimmer starts and ends every stroke cycle in position 11.
• "Emphasize long reaching arms in position11": Watch for long reaching arms in position 11.
• "After the arms push water down under the body, they flair outwards into 'airplane' which is arms wide, elbows straight, and thumbs aimed down at the bottom of the pool": Watch for arms wide, elbows straight, and thumbs aimed down at the bottom of the pool after the arms push water down under the body.
• "Sweep forward with the back of the hand leading": Watch that the back of the hand leads the forward sweep.
• "Clap the back of the hands over the head, and finish in position 11": Watch for the back of the hands clapping over the head and finishing in position 11.
• "Start with slow deliberate motions to learn the choreography or dance move that is the butterfly arms": Use slow deliberate motions to teach the choreography or dance move.
• "Most issues with new swimmers will be solved if you focus on the motion over the swim or the power of the arms": Focus on the motion over the swim or the power of the arms.
• "Start teaching the arms on deck with slow movements focusing on large motions": Start on deck with slow movements focusing on large motions.
• "Use familiar target language like 'streamline,' 'position 11,' and 'airplane'": Use the familiar target language.
• "Create a flow of motions with the arms": Create a flow of motions with the arms.

Teaching strategy:

Start teaching the arms on deck with slow movements focusing on large motions. Use familiar target language like "streamline," "position 11," and "airplane." Create a flow of motions with the arms. Start with slow deliberate motions to learn the choreography or dance move that is the butterfly arms. Most issues with new swimmers will be solved if you focus on the motion over the swim or the power of the arms.

Progression:

Position 11 to Airplane to sweep forward with the back of the hand leading to clap the back of the hands over the head and finish in position 11.