Fitter And Faster Drill Of The Week: NGB Butterfly With Elaine Breeden

Welcome to the “Drill of the Week” sponsored by The Fitter and Faster Swim Tour presented by Swimoutlet.com. Swimming World will provide you with a weekly tip or drill from an elite level swimmer to add to your training.

This week’s drill is NGB Butterfly by 2008 Olympian Elaine Breeden. One of her favorite drills, Breeden explains that “it’s a butterfly drill that focuses on breathing really low and swimming downhill.” It emphasizes proper body position and holding the mechanics of the stroke even as the body fatigues.

The “NGB” stands for “No breath, Goggles, Breath.” Start this drill by pushing off the wall into a tight streamline. On the first butterfly stroke, take a really low stroke and do not breathe. The next stroke, have just your goggles come out of the water without breathing. On the third stroke, take a breath, but make sure you stay as low as possible. Keep cycling through those three strokes until the 25 is complete.

NGB Butterfly helps swimmers to stay low on their butterfly breaths. If the head is too high, it will throw the body’s entire positioning off and make every stroke more difficult. Keeping breaths low to the water will allow for a smoother and more efficient butterfly stroke.

Try NGB Butterfly at your next practice!

Sign up for a clinic with Elaine Breeden today:

May 1, 2016

Shelton, CT

Swim Faster Butterfly, Dolphin Kick and Turns (Ages 7-17)

June 11, 2016

Cary, NC

Powerful Starts, Turns, Breakouts and Finishes Fast Starts, Turns, Breakouts and Finishes

11 and under

12 and up