How to Swim the Freestyle and Butterfly Strokes - Essay Example

How to Swim the Freestyle and Butterfly Strokes Swimming is considered one of the best physical exercises because it involves a lot of muscles therefore many exercise and sports enthusiasts consider getting into swimming either as workout or training. Moreover, swimming is also a great way of relaxation that is not only enjoyable but physically and mentally beneficial. During the summer season, more and more individuals find swimming as a common activity either for entertainment purposes or professional aspirations. For this reason, I find the subject matter interesting but it is also necessary for people to be knowledgeable about it because swimming is not as easy and simple as it seems. Even though one may say he engages in swimming simply as a hobby, correct practices should still be observed. The fact that swimming demands a lot of physical exertion means that a swimmer is also prone to exhaustion and pains. Nevertheless, unnecessary body aches can be prevented if a person observes the correct ways of swimming and the activity will be more enjoyable when a swimmer does not have to suffer pains afterward. With this in mind, it is my intention to share how to swim using two common strokes in swimming namely the freestyle and butterfly. The freestyle is perhaps the simplest and fastest among the three swimming strokes because it simply involves long stretches of the arms and kicks in order to move the swimmer to the intended destination. However, the arms are not simply stretched to the greatest distance they could reach but they actually involve five components which will be discussed as the instructions are explained in detail. So first, you stretch both arms above the head, with the back of your palms facing you. Make sure that your fingers are together and not spread apart because this will help to propel you to the next distance. This position of having your hand stretched is called the ‘reach’. Obviously, the name suggests that you are to reach out your arms in preparation for the next component called the ‘catch’. To do the catch, you twist your hand forward, slightly forming an “S” as you pull your hand toward your hip. The third component called ‘pull’ happens when you exert effort to make the final stroke for the “S” shape as you pull your hand toward your mid-section. This is followed by the ‘push’ which is the force that will help determine the distance the whole body is going to move forward to. The final component would be the ‘recovery’ which basically brings the arm to the original position. Now, you repeat the whole process using the other arm. When you are in the water, you will find out that it is actually difficult to start right away with the instructions mentioned above. What you need to do is to stretch your arms and immerse your face as you try to keep afloat by doing small quick kicks. The way to ‘kick’ in swimming is not the same as kicking a ball. You have to point your toes just like ballet dancers do and make a quick and short kicking motion which you should do alternately and continuously with both feet. Once you are in control of keeping yourself afloat, you may start with the hand strokes listed earlier while you simultaneously do the kicks which will not only help you float but will move you faster. It is advisable that when you work with your hand strokes, it is better for you to aim for a long reach rather than completing the cycle quickly otherwise, you will easily get tired without really maximizing your forward movement. In addition, as you move, you are to twist your body as required by your movement. For example, when your right hand ‘reaches’ while your left hand ‘pushes’, your left shoulder naturally twists upward and so your midsection should follow the locomotion. If you aim to swim long distances for various rounds, the problem about breathing is going to be something you have to face. Swimming does not mean you cannot breathe. There is a technique that you may employ in breathing so that water will not enter your nose or mouth. As mentioned earlier, the position of your body should flow with your movements. This is not only for easy and smooth progression but it is also helpful for your breathing. So, let us say you completed three cycles and you feel the need to breath. You do not have to stop swimming to get the necessary air but you can synchronize the action with your hand strokes. When you are swimming and while one of your hands is in ‘reach’ position, let us say the left hand is in ‘reach’ position and the right hand is in ‘pull’ position, you twist your head to the right and take a quick breath. Your head should turn smoothly, letting your ear rest on your left arm while just a little part of your mouth remains immersed, allowing the nose to be fully exposed for breathing. Right after the quick breathe, you have to immerse your head again, keeping your focus on an imaginary line which you should follow to your destination. You may take breathes every after three cycles or as necessary. When you are able to do this without any difficulty, you may be ready for a more difficult stroke. When you watch swimmers doing the butterfly stroke, they look graceful because of the undulation the stroke requires. However, this is more physically demanding than the freestyle because of the strength needed to keep the swimmer progress. The butterfly uses similar hand strokes used in freestyle however both hands simultaneously do the same components. Using the same concept, the feet should also kick at the same time with the same speed and strength. There should be two quick kicking movements for the whole cycle of a butterfly stroke which involves one round of the hand components. The first kick keeps the swimmer afloat while the second propels him for the momentum of the next cycle. Perhaps, the very reason why this stroke is quite difficult is the fact that it uses body undulations while requiring hand and feet movements as well. The undulation is similar to how mermaids in movies swim or is described as a wave-like movement, following an upward and downward trail just like what children do with their hands to represent waves. The head of the swimmer is primarily used to lead the whole body in the process. While the head moves down, the middle section should be lifted and the lower extremities give the whole body a push with a kick. As the head rises, you should slightly bend your knees to find momentum for another kick that will propel you forward for another cycle. A good coordination of the undulations, hand and feet movement will not only make you look like a graceful and good swimmer but it will actually make you a good swimmer. The movements should be well-synchronized for a swimmer to get the full strength of a butterfly stroke. Again, in addition to the necessary movements discussed above, a swimmer should know how to breathe when doing the butterfly stroke. Just like the freestyle stroke, the face should be immersed for the swimmer to be able to swim a certain distance in the shortest possible time. However, this does not mean that the head should be immersed throughout the duration of swimming. In the butterfly stroke, since both hands simultaneously take the same stroke, it is easier to raise one’s head for a quick intake of air. Once you completed one cycle and you do the ‘reach’ again, you may lift your head for some air, making sure that you raise just a little above thee water to avoid unnecessary strain on the neck. It is alright if you take a breath every cycle but for professional swimmers whose goal is to keep their swimming time to the minimum, it is better for them to take in air at least every two or three cycles so that the momentum will not be broken. Swimming may be fun but it is not enjoyable at all when one gets out of the water with sprains and body aches. This is the very reason why it is important for swimmers to be well-informed. Knowing the details of how to do the freestyle and butterfly strokes will now make your swimming more enjoyable and fruitful. Observing the correct movements of arms and legs will not only give you the bragging rights about your swimming skills but it will also help you a lot in maintaining your health. Practice the aforementioned instructions and sooner or later, you might become the next swimming instructor to your friends or even perhaps the next swimming sensation. Read More