HOW CHAMPIONS DO IT

Researched, produced, and prepared by Brent S. Rushall, Ph.D., R.Psy.

MISTY HYMAN'S BREATHING STROKE AT 175 m OF HER 200 m BUTTERFLY BRONZE MEDAL RACE AT THE 1997 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS, FUKUOKA, JAPAN

Each frame is .1 second apart. This is Misty Hyman's first stroke after completing her controversial underwater stroke after the last turn in the 200 m event.

Notable Features

Misty Hyman's stroke exhibits a common fault in female butterfliers, exaggerated body movements and excessive kicking. Those actions require counter-balancing movements that do not contribute to propulsion, disrupt streamline, and consume energy. However, a distinctive good feature of her stroke is the almost immediate development of force with the hands after entry. There is no "lag" time due to unnecessary movements as occurs with Susan O'Neill's arm entry.

Of the "modern" female butterfliers Misty Hyman exhibits perhaps the stroke that comes closest to that of Mary T. Meagher. With better race pacing and the new underwater stroke limitations that will restrict her exhausting and questionable "breakout" underwater kick that she has used in the past Misty Hyman may well become the top swimmer of this stroke in coming seasons.

Misty Hyman

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