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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/swim-butterfly-dolphin-kick

Which kick is used in butterfly?

Dolphin kick, with both legs together.

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  1. Flutter kick
  2. Scissor kick
  3. Dolphin kick ✔

Why: Butterfly uses a dolphin kick: both legs move up and down together and may not alternate. A flutter kick alternates, and a breaststroke kick is not allowed in butterfly.

Huh, didn't know that: World Aquatics says butterfly began around 1930 as a variant of breaststroke and became a separate stroke in 1952.

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Why did the dolphin cross the ocean? To get to the other tide.
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References

Answer: Dolphin kick. Butterfly uses a dolphin kick: both legs move up and down together and may not alternate. A flutter kick alternates, and a breaststroke kick is not allowed in butterfly.

  1. World Aquatics Competition Regulations, in force February 2026 resources.fina.org/fina/document/2026/02/18/e6815ecc-06d9-4f0b-98e9-4c441cf5e6a3/2026-02-18_World-Aquatics_CR-Final.pdf
    All up and down movements of the legs must be simultaneous.
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. World Aquatics: Swimming History and Presentation www.worldaquatics.com/news/1980866/swimming-history-and-presentation
    BUTTERFLY A stroke made in the prone position where both arms are lifted simultaneously out of the water and flung forward, in combination with the dolphin kick.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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