butterfly

Question
Well my swim coach wants me to swim butterfly at a swim meet coming up but, why is it soo hard? I just can't seem to get the secondary kick down and get arms pulled back over in time to be able to breath and make it look nice. So what am i doing wrong and what are some techniques that i can do to make it look nicer and increase my endurance.

Answer
Matt--
Butterfly can be a beautiful stroke, but it doesn't happen instantly.  The main reason you can't get the second kick in is that your arm turnover is too fast.  When your hands enter the water in front, you need to reach(leave them in front)for a for a 2 count(1 and 2)before the next pull, this will give your hips a chance to come up which gives the second kick time to finish.  As for the breath, you need to think about starting to lift your head to breathe at the same time that you are starting to move your hands back.  This makes the breathing action finished by the time your arms are recovering to the front.  It's easier to get your arms to the front when your head is on its way down or already down, try to get the breath done early in the stroke not later.
Hope this helps.
George.