Freestyle flutter kick failure

RE: Freestyle flutter kick failure

Former Member — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:20:54 GMT

I have to say i'm getting some progression here. I've been doing more kicking exercises, also on my back with one hand stretched backwards to keep balanced. Never managed to come forward, but we've got some improvements here. Instead of switching to the breaststroke to restore, I take a short break and switch to freestyle again. Thanks again for the tips. Is it healthy to swim every day? Or is it preferable to give your muscles a break?

RE: Freestyle flutter kick failure

ande — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:32:52 GMT

Is it healthy to swim every day? YES Or is it preferable to give your muscles a break? NOT NECESSARY

RE: Freestyle flutter kick failure

Former Member — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 07:11:21 GMT

i just break down. I think this is probably because i have a lot of drag, by having the wrong kick method.Keep your ankles relaxed and point your toes. The range of motion on your leg action should be minimal until you get the feel for it. The feet should be boiling the water just below the surface as opposed to pounding it. Yes it's healthy to swim every day. But it's also equally as important to put in the proper recovery time. Some people go 1 day hard 1 day less effort (and work on technique). Some people such as Ande are from another planet and they never get tired even if they swim twice a day. :)

RE: Freestyle flutter kick failure

Elaine Krugman — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 01:57:15 GMT

Is it healthy to swim every day? Or is it preferable to give your muscles a break? Listen to your body; not me, Ande, or anybody else. :2cents: If your muscles are not recovering adequately, give yourself a day off and rest. I find that I am quite beaten down by the end of the week, after swimming six days and lifting weights after my Monday and Friday swim sessions. So, on Saturdays, I still swim 2500-3000 yards, however, it is a recovery workout, keeping my heart rate at or below 120/minute. And, on Sundays, as much as I hate to be out of the pool :bitching:, I don't do anything but rest. I am also finding I need to taper 3-4 times a year. So, I taper for Nationals and other important meets which gives my body the recovery period it needs. But, I am 50 and have had serious repetitive stress injuries and surgeries in the past; all unrelated to swimming. I have learned through trial and error what my body needs. Lifting 3 times a week was too much :cane: , as was swimming too much and too hard without active recovery and a rest day.

RE: Freestyle flutter kick failure

Former Member — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:16:37 GMT

If you'd like to kick faster, start improving your ankle flexibility by streching the tendons in them. I've been testing my middle school swimmers and they average about 35 degrees and Phelps actually has a negative or ability to flex past zero (with a size 17 shoe) he's wearing a fin. Kicking harder with terrible ankle flexibility is futile. Go to my website to see ways to help improve your kicking. Good luck, Coach T.

RE: Freestyle flutter kick failure

Former Member — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:58:29 GMT

Thanks for your reactions guys. @Ande My goal is to swim at least a KM, but rather two KM with freestyle stroke. Thanks for the tips and the links according to the kicking. I think, like Ourswimmers says, laying in the water with a L shape foot because of the wrong technique. At the moment i'm swimming 3 times a week but i can make this 5 times, that's not a problem. I will try swimming with flippers, see if i can get the feeling. And also on my back. I will keep you posted :)

RE: Freestyle flutter kick failure

Former Member — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:17:43 GMT

Your legs use disproportionately more oxygen than your arms. If you're swim long distances, best to converse energy by reducing your kicking. You shouldn't be kicking like a sprint, but it should be enough to maintain a good body position and provide some push. I think Ande has it spot on. Just keep practicing and working out. 2k is a far distance if you're not a regular lap swimmer.

RE: Freestyle flutter kick failure

ourswimmer — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:38:40 GMT

When i swim with a board to practise my flutter, i don't go forward at all. This observation tells me that you are most likely kicking with your ankles flexed, so that your feet and shins form an "L." Fins may help you develop the proper feeling, and also help to make your ankles more flexible.

RE: Freestyle flutter kick failure

ande — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:50:18 GMT

when you swim 2 km's, you just break down. It's probably conditioning. You'd get in awesome shape if you swam 5 - 9x /wk 4 - 6k / practice BUT first WHAT ARE your GOALS? How much time per day and week are you willing to dedicate to accomplishing your goals? you might be kicking incorrectly, learn how to do the quick flick kick which is a 2 beat kick or one kick per armstroke. The quick flick kick is a small fast single kick when you're swimming long distances that's designed to provide some propulsion, maintain body position, reduce effort and conserve energy. Also when you swim longer stuff you need to conserve energy, have great strokes and have ideal body position. Keep your head neutral, look at the bottom of the pool Stay relaxed Swim at a sustainable pace BREATHE check out Total Immersion Swimming Freestyle Demo by Shinji Takeuchi - YouTube Read: Total Immersion: How I Learned to Swim Effortlessly in 10 Days and You Can Too When kick with a board you don't go forward at all. how can you train this? check out & do: Help My Flutter Kick is Horrible! Swim Faster Faster might help you too

RE: Freestyle flutter kick failure

Former Member — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:45:40 GMT

I rather doubt it is because of conditioning. You can kick all you want but if the technique is wrong it will not help move you through the water. I like kicking on the back so you can observe your own kicking technique.