**What We Taught at Summer Swim Camp: Butterfly Early Release**

At summer swim camp, we have limited time to devote to each of the strokes, so we have to be strategic about *what* we teach. We search for the ONE THING that will bring the most improvement to the most swimmers. For butterfly it’s a no brainer: Early Release.

Monday

Butterfly Drills: Short Release

This focus point can be imperceptible to the naked eye, but the feeling to the swimmer may be a game changer.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1972-butterfly-short-release> 

:36 - exit the hands OUT not back

Tuesday

Steve Haufler: Getting Stuck at the Back

Steve shows how a simple switch from extended release to early release of the hands can transform your butterfly.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/156-mistakes-getting-stuck-at-the-back> 

:17 - even trying to do it wrong Steve still exits wrist first

:19 - manipulation

:24 - exit the hands to the sides

:29 - send the hands out while still in the water

:36 - review angel

:44 - back scull

1:15 - palms facing back on exit

Wednesday

Butterfly Basics: Float, Diamond, Angel, Swim

Float. Diamond. Angel. Swing.  It’s a mantra we learned from Steve Haufler and it really works for imprinting a proper butterfly pull with an early release of the hands.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3105-float-diamond-angel-swing> 

:14 - Float

:16 - diamond from front

:21 - angel

:24 - swing

:34 - diamond is in front of the shoulders

1:04 - watching the shadow

Thursday

Butterfly Basics: Vertical Butterfly Jumps

This drill is addictive…and possibly the best way to learn an effective butterfly pull and recovery, with an early release.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3161-vertical-butterfly> 

:06 - Float

:07 - Diamond

:08 - Angel

:09 - Swing above water

:29 - Float

:33 - try to keep the hands stationary

:44 - hands out to the sides to swing

1:06 - build a rhythm

1:10 - swing from above

1:24 - Diamond from the side

Friday

This overhead footage of Olympian Kim Vandenberg, shows how an early release of the hands can create flow, rhythm, and ease.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1574-butterfly-head-and-recovery> 

Show in app - Kim at 21.9 seconds

Saturday

Kaitlin Sandeno: Slow-Motion Butterfly

Kaitlin Sandeno’s effortless butterfly from every angle. Notice how she rounds out the pull for an early release.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/571-slow-mo-butterfly-kaitlin-sandeno> 

Show in app - Kaitlin at 1:36.21

Sunday

Kelse (Worrell) Dahlia: 3-3-3 Butterfly

Olympian Kelsi Dahlia shares one of the best drills for working on butterfly early release without letting the stroke fall apart.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2349-3-left-3-right-3-whole-stroke-butterfly> 

:33 - Float - Diamond - Angel - Swing - Play slow

:42 - Angel 

Bonus

Misty Hyman: Release the Hands Early

Olympic 200 fly champion Misty Hyman finds that an early release helps the hands accelerate as they leave the water. This gives her a quicker rhythm and lets her attack forward as the hands enter.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/409-give-it-up-in-the-back>

:51 - 

James Guy: Butterfly Full Body

James thinks about sweeping the hands back and OUT.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2595-butterfly-full-body>

Wu Peng

Notice the acceleration of Wu’s hands as they finish the pull and then *snap* out of the water. The snap comes from an early release.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1327-butterfly-hands-underwater>


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July 25, 2023 - Butterfly Release - What We Taught at Summer Camp