Left, Right, Both
Two single-arm butterfly strokes (left then right) followed by one full stroke – keeps rhythm while building strength and timing.
- Stages
- Stage 6, Stage 7
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Skills
- Coordination, Butterfly, Butterfly Arms
- Equipment
- None, Short Fins
- Age
- 9–99 years
- Group size
- 1–12 swimmers
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
What it develops
- Butterfly with two-kick rhythm and forward breathing
- Improve stroke efficiency on all strokes
- Efficient butterfly for a short distance
- Keep technique and stroke count as distance increases
How to run it
- Swim one stroke of single-arm fly with the left arm.
- Then one with the right arm.
- Then one full stroke with both arms.
- Repeat the pattern across the width, keeping two kicks per stroke.
Teaching cues
- Left, right, both.
- Two kicks every stroke.
- Keep moving.
Make it easier
- Two left, two right, then rest.
- Short fins.
Make it harder
- Two full strokes in the pattern.
- Hold the pattern for a length.
Common faults
- Rhythm lost on the full stroke.
- Breathing high on the full stroke.
Corrections
- Say the pattern aloud.
- Low breath on the full stroke only.
Assistant / L1 role
- Call the pattern from the side for a swimmer who loses count.