Fins for Rhythm
Short fins give enough speed for swimmers to feel the full butterfly rhythm – then the fins come off and the rhythm stays.
- Stages
- Stage 6, Stage 7
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Skills
- Dolphin Kick, Butterfly, Stroke Timing
- Equipment
- 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
Safety notes
- Check your pool allows fins and keep lanes one-way.
What it develops
- Butterfly with two-kick rhythm and forward breathing
- Efficient butterfly for a short distance
How to run it
- Swim butterfly with short fins for a width.
- Focus on two kicks per stroke and a relaxed recovery.
- Remove the fins and swim the same width.
- Compare: what stayed the same?
Teaching cues
- Feel the rhythm.
- Long arms.
- Keep it relaxed.
Make it easier
- Single-arm with fins.
- Kick only with fins.
Make it harder
- Two widths with fins, one without, keeping the stroke count close.
Common faults
- Relying on fins to kick hard and losing timing.
- Rushing the arms.
Corrections
- 'Easy speed – let the fins help, don't race them.'
- Count strokes with and without.
Assistant / L1 role
- Manage the fin station: hand out and collect fins and check sizes fit.