In butterfly breathing technique, when should the swimmer inhale?

• A. During the press phase.
• B. Before arms recover.
• C. After arms recover.
• D. During the glide phase.

Answer: (B)

In butterfly, breathing is timed with the arm cycle to keep the body long and the stroke smooth. The inhale is taken just before the arms begin to recover, as the hands finish the drive and the shoulders begin to rise. This moment lets the swimmer turn the head to the side and breathe while the body is still in a relatively stable, streamlined position, minimizing drag. Exhaling happens during the remaining portion of the cycle so the swimmer can take in air quickly without breaking rhythm. Breathing during the press phase would be underwater and disrupt the catch, during the glide would slow momentum, and after the arms have recovered would misalign the breath with the stroke pattern.