I have no idea. I get confused when I try to count my kicks because my feet work independantly from my arms :angel:
I am glad I am not the only one. I was about to quit the sport when I couldn't figure out this fundamental question. But you are a much better swimmer than me so I guess I won't worry about it.
Near as I can tell, when swimming aerobically I have a 2 beat kick followed by 2 non-kicks. Like a 1, .8, .2, .1 kick or something. When I sprint I kick harder and faster but I have no idea of the count.
Same as some others on here, I use a 6 beat for everything 200 or less. On my 500's I use a 6 beat the first and last 75 yards, and a two beat in the middle 350.
I use a 2-beat kick anytime I'm not sprinting. I know, bad habits of the typical distance swimmer. As for the technique, my kicks are structured exactly like they are for my 6-beat, but with small pauses between. I don't have a scissor kick, but I also don't bend my knees more than normal. I do 6-beat for backstroke as well.
According to the poll so far, when not sprinting, almost 70% don't use 6 beat kicks. However, what I see in the pools is different: most people use 6 beat (I didn't count their beats, but it's obvious more than 4 beats and definitely not 2 beats), whether sprinting or not.
According to the poll so far, when not sprinting, almost 70% don't use 6 beat kicks. However, what I see in the pools is different: most people use 6 beat (I didn't count their beats, but it's obvious more than 4 beats and definitely not 2 beats), whether sprinting or not.
It might depend on distance and intensity. I may use 6 beat kick for 800m as well if I swim in relaxed, easy manner. Sure that I don't kick as hard in that case.
I voted "only when sprinting" but even that needs to be amended...only when sprinting and not breathing. If I put my head down (figuratively, mostly) and stop breathing, then I can really bring in a strong 6 beat kick.
Whenever I breath, either side, I have a kerthump-thump kick!
PT
I am starting to fear that this is what I do, too. I have to really be pushing it to do a six-beat kick. And yet, I have no problem doing it when I wear fins. Hmm.
I voted "only when sprinting" but even that needs to be amended...only when sprinting and not breathing. If I put my head down (figuratively, mostly) and stop breathing, then I can really bring in a strong 6 beat kick.
Whenever I breath, either side, I have a kerthump-thump kick!
PT
Wow, that's really interesting about the fins. I find that the fins only make the issue worse and I almost never swim with fins. If I swim with fins, they slow down my kick rate and I have to either slow down my stroke rate or swim with a half-beat kick, if such a thing exists!
(Also, fins exacerbate my leg cramping.)
PT
I should have specified -- for sprinting, I'm generally using short or medium length fins, and so I can keep up a fast kick tempo.
My guess as to what is happening is this: I have trouble focusing on both arms and legs at the same time (yes, I am that uncoordinated). So, most of the time when I'm swimming freestyle I focus on my arms, because that is where I get most of my propulsion. But when I put fins on, I get a lot more propulsion from my legs, so then it's my arms that are coasting a bit. I'm not saying this is a good thing, mind you. I'm trying to incorporate more kick into my regular (non-fin) stroke, but I'm just not managing it well.
I am starting to fear that this is what I do, too. I have to really be pushing it to do a six-beat kick. And yet, I have no problem doing it when I wear fins. Hmm.
Wow, that's really interesting about the fins. I find that the fins only make the issue worse and I almost never swim with fins. If I swim with fins, they slow down my kick rate and I have to either slow down my stroke rate or swim with a half-beat kick, if such a thing exists!
(Also, fins exacerbate my leg cramping.)
PT
