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Swimming Techniques
"S" for "Same"
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What arm movements are alike in the butterfly and the freestyle?
"S" for "Same"
Freestyle and butterfly share a very similar S-curve pull swim technique under the water. The hands enter the water in front of the head and shoulders at almost a full arm's extension. Both hands first start the pull slightly away from the body (the right hand will be making a backwards “S”), then move back in toward the torso, and then finishing out past the hips.
This movement is slightly more accentuated in the butterfly, as it is done at the same time for both hands, and more strength is needed to finish past the hips and lift the head and shoulders.
