The kick drives the arms

What it is The kick and body motion drive Butterfly; the arms provide power but are not the primary focus for timing and flow

What it is

The kick and body motion drive Butterfly; the arms provide power but are not the primary focus for timing and flow. Rolling hips, easy arms.

Essentials

Hips up, arms in 11
Arms pull and hip drop
Throw hips up and recover
Thumbs down, clap the back of hands above head
Timing is crucial: focus on the two body positions (hips up / arms in 11; hips down / arms pulling)
Strong kick and hip motion are the anchor for the entire stroke

Progression

Arms begin in position 11. Pull underwater to the hips, then exit the water.
Recover with straight elbows, thumbs at the bottom, back of the hands aiming forward.
3× streamline + 2 butterfly fly arm strokes.
3× streamline + 2 fly arms with breath on #2.
2× 25: 2 strokes fly, then fly kick rest of the 25 with fins.
2× 25: Fly swim to ½ way with breath in even strokes; fly kick second ½, all with fins.
1× 50: 4 strokes fly swim, breath in 2 and 4, then fly kick in soldier rest of each 25. No fins.
2× 25: Fly swim, breaths in even strokes.

What goes wrong

Swimmer muscles through butterfly using only the arms → proper kicking and strength from the core and thighs makes the kick stronger and the anchor point for the rest of the stroke.

How you know it worked

The two body positions are correctly sequenced: hips up when arms are in 11, hips down (and head rising to breathe) when arms are pulling and exiting.

How you teach it

The cue language is designed for beginner swimmers. The picture of "hips up, arms in 11" is exaggerated, but it is an effective position for new learners because it makes the hip motion visible and repeatable. For the recovery, use "clap the back of the hands above your head" with beginners; the thumbs-down detail refines it as they progress.

Pepper butterfly into your instruction rather than dwelling on it. Butterfly is difficult and complicated for new swimmers, so do small amounts often, focus on short distances and limited arm strokes, and always emphasize the strong kick and hip motion. The arms follow the body; if you let the arms lead, the timing collapses.