**Step #2:  Butterfly Arm Recovery**
I begin teaching the recovery from a standing position on the deck.

I demonstrate by starting with my hands a few inches from my sides.

With my hands completely relaxed, my palms facing my legs and my fingers hanging down, I swing my arms slowly around and pause them directly overhead above my shoulders in the butterfly float position.

The movement originates from my shoulders.  The arms are straight, and they stay in line with the sides of my body.

I guide the swimmers through the motion, like this, making sure they lift from the shoulders.

I want them to feel this big, relaxed, in-line swing of the arms.

Note: If they do this drill while standing in shallow water, it’s helpful to have their backs against the wall, like this.

Next, I demonstrate the recovery in the flat-back position, like this. 

I’m looking at the ground, my hands are a few inches from my sides, and now my fingers are facing back.

I demonstrate the recovery by leading with the wrists, and with thumbs down.

I swing the arms around… and stop in the butterfly float position, like this.

The swimmers will start in the flat-back position, with arms by their sides.

They swing from the shoulders, with arms straight, and pretend to land softly in the butterfly float position.

Make sure they are not lifting up or turning the thumbs up or leading the recovery with the hands.

I guide them through the correct movement.

If they are bent over in the water, tell them to “watch your thumbs skim across the surface.”

Then, I say, “Swing your arms through the air just one inch over the top of the water.”

Next, I want the swimmers to do the recovery from a floating position, starting with the arms a few inches from their sides.

They do a “snow angel” recovery and move the arms from the shoulders, going the “long way around.”

The starting position is with the arms straight and hands relaxed with fingers facing back, like a “flag blowing in the wind.”   From this position, the arms return softly to the butterfly float position.

The swimmer can practice multiple recoveries, like this, by standing up and starting over after each landing.





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Butterfly Arm Recovery