Q&A for How to Do a Butterfly Kick

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How can I improve the strength of my kick?

David Engel
Muay Thai Instructor & Self Defense Trainer
David Engel is a Muay Thai Instructor and Self Defense Trainer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 15 years of martial arts instruction and training experience, David runs California Martial Athletics with co-owner Joe Chernay. He has created and maintained martial arts programs at Rise Combat Sports in San Francisco and Round 5 Martial Arts Academy in San Leandro, with a mission to provide students with a level of comfort and competency that manifests both within and outside the martial arts context. He is also a registered cornerman for amateur and pro competitors under the IKF (International Kickboxing Federation). David was the youngest apprentice instructor of the Thai Boxing Association of America under Ajarn Chai Sirisute (2009), and was a top-ranked amateur competitor in his weight class (127-130 lb) in California between 2013 and 2015.

David Engel

Muay Thai Instructor & Self Defense Trainer

Expert Answer

To improve your strength, you're going to have to do more roadwork. Short distance sprints are really helpful, but you can also do lunges, or squats. If you have a weighted vest, you can add that for extra resistance. The best thing is to just get in some repetitions. The more you get the mechanics down, the less effort you will have to put into it.

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Question

How can I avoid the right leg getting stopped while in the air?

Community Answer

The best way is to set up your kicks with punches. There's no need to jump in the air because it kills balance and makes you vulnerable. Try doing a reverse version of the kick to keep an opponent surprised. Intercepting is the best way to combat.

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Question

It doesn't show what to do in the air. Is it just 2 swinging back kicks, like the reverse of front straight leg stretch kicks? Legs apart or together? Am I just spinning in air?

Community Answer

To do a basic butterfly kick in the water, you bring your hips up, allowing your legs to follow, then you allow your legs to fall down and repeat. You are basically doing the worm with your legs. You can do the butterfly kick on your back or stomach, and you can keep your legs together or a couple inches apart, if you are a beginner just do what feels comfortable. No, you are not spinning in the air.

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Question

Do you need to be flexible to do the butterfly kick?

DiamondWarrior649

Top Answerer

To do this kick, you will need to at least be able to bend over, and have strong biceps. You will also need to swing your arms and legs well behind and well in front of you.

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Question

How do you incorporate this move into combat (which appendages are used to make physical contact with the opponent)?

DiamondWarrior649

Top Answerer

You're going to want to use your legs for most of this; although doing that can land you off balance.

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Question

Is this useful in sparring, or is it just for show?

Kuriboh

Community Answer

It can be useful for sparring when done correctly, and it is a great move to show off too.

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