How to Swim the Dolphin Crawl Stroke

The dolphin crawl is a good stroke to practice while training. It adds power to a normal front crawl and gives a swimmer the extra challenge of timing the kicks to meet the crawl strokes. The kicks themselves resemble a swimming dolphin because you keep your feet together.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Use a front crawl stroke. Floating on your stomach, reach one arm as if you're swimming the forward crawl.

2. Add the dolphin kick to the stroke. Keep both feet together. Use the same kick used when doing the butterfly stroke.

3. Kick both feet by raising the hips up in the water then pushing feet downward as you reach out the first arm.

4. Set up for the second kick immediately. This kick works in conjunction with alternate arm motion.

5. Extend your second arm out in front of you, and dolphin kick at the same time. Keep your face in the water through the entire cycle.

Tips & Warnings

• Do two dolphin kicks per front crawl cycle--one with each arm extension.
• If done right, the dolphin kick propels your hips out of the water as the kick starts, and push your shoulders up and out as it ends.
• The dolphin crawl is usually used for training purposes. It is taught as a variation to the front crawl.
• Don't just use your feet to kick. The dolphin kick requires the use of your hips, thighs and lower legs.

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