Last week, I blundered upon a kick set that proved to be fun and challenging for the likes of me, that is to say, a fellow with pretty piss-poor SDKs.
The idea behind the set was to gradually build up my dolphin kicking capacity by starting out with all flutter kick and 0 dolphin kicks per length, then adding (1) dolphin kick off each wall per 50, then (2) per length per 50, then (3) per wall per 50, and so on, till I was kicking the whole thing butterfly.
This happened at the 1450 yard mark. By this point, I'd gradually worked my way up to 30 dolphin kicks (and 0 flutter kicks) per 25 to finish a set that ultimately proved 1500 yards of kicking.
I wrote about this blundering set and its aftermath two days later on my abdominal muscles in my most recent vlog entry here forums.usms.org/blog.php
Taking 30 dolphin kicks per 25, I realize, sounds pretty godawful to the natural cetaceans in our midst. Anyhow, a couple vlog readers wondered what the average number required is, so I thought I would conduct a poll.
This isn't an ordinary poll--I don't want responders to answer off the top of their heads. Rather, the next time you at practice, do this experiment and report back your actual findings.
1. Use a kick board
2. Do not use fins.
3. Conduct this experiment in a 25 yard course for consistency of replies.
4. Kick butterfly for an entire 50 without stopping. Count the number of total number of kicks you take. (I know you would take less doing actual SDKs without a board, but for this particular poll, please do it with a board on the surface.)
In my case, it took me 30 dolphin kicks down, and 30 dolphin kicks back, for the unremarkable score of 60. Please do not ask me what my time was, because I am sure it was over a minute.
And PLEASE only respond after you're tried this--do NOT go from memory or approximate what you think you should or could do. I want an accurate count!
Note: one last thing--just kick as normally as you can kick butterfly (which in my case is not that normal). No need to try for some record by gliding as far as possible after each kick; neither should you feel obligated to do millions of tiny whip like kicks, as if in imitation of your father's contribution to your begetting.
Just do it normally, or as normally as you can. I want to get an idea of what the range is.
Thanks!
I'm not sure how much benefit there is from doing 1500s kicks ... I know you were just experimenting, but still. For kicking, I would stick with shorter distances at race pace or perhaps for some kick endurance. I personally like to do either shooters on my belly to work on fly SDK or fast kicks with board & fins. The snorkel options sounds good as well.
I did not imply that fins are THE only way to develop a fast kick. I have used them to develop a fast kick, and like the power & flexibility I get from them. But Chris and Ande don't use fins and are very fast dolphin kickers. Many ways to skin a cat! You have to experiment, find what works for you and what you like to do. I happen to like fins. Throw in some ankle push ups while you're at it. :)
Oh, definitely don't put on fins and then go slow. Fins are for speed/power work for the most part.
For some reason, I tend to get arch cramps when wearing fins, especially if I put them on later in the workout.
The purpose of the 1500 kick was more to learn how to recruit my core and try to groove that into muscle memory. I am still not sure I am dolphin kicking correctly--it used to be all legs and knees. By going longer distances and trying to concentrate on using the abs and hips a bit more, the hope, at least, is to get the correct technique into muscle memory...
It seems to be helping a little. I can now do an entire 25 yard SDK underwater, which would have been impossible for me a year ago. I suspect that this will never be a hugely advantageous "second fastest stroke" kind of deal for me. (In this, it's a bit like T.I.--good in theory, but it slows me down in actual practice.) My ultimate goal is to be able to do 2 or 3 hard SDKs off the walls in the 100 and 200 free, keeping me down long enough to surface comfortably past the flags, and maybe save my arms a bit so I will have more strength to finish strong.
I'm not sure how much benefit there is from doing 1500s kicks ... I know you were just experimenting, but still. For kicking, I would stick with shorter distances at race pace or perhaps for some kick endurance. I personally like to do either shooters on my belly to work on fly SDK or fast kicks with board & fins. The snorkel options sounds good as well.
I did not imply that fins are THE only way to develop a fast kick. I have used them to develop a fast kick, and like the power & flexibility I get from them. But Chris and Ande don't use fins and are very fast dolphin kickers. Many ways to skin a cat! You have to experiment, find what works for you and what you like to do. I happen to like fins. Throw in some ankle push ups while you're at it. :)
Oh, definitely don't put on fins and then go slow. Fins are for speed/power work for the most part.
For some reason, I tend to get arch cramps when wearing fins, especially if I put them on later in the workout.
The purpose of the 1500 kick was more to learn how to recruit my core and try to groove that into muscle memory. I am still not sure I am dolphin kicking correctly--it used to be all legs and knees. By going longer distances and trying to concentrate on using the abs and hips a bit more, the hope, at least, is to get the correct technique into muscle memory...
It seems to be helping a little. I can now do an entire 25 yard SDK underwater, which would have been impossible for me a year ago. I suspect that this will never be a hugely advantageous "second fastest stroke" kind of deal for me. (In this, it's a bit like T.I.--good in theory, but it slows me down in actual practice.) My ultimate goal is to be able to do 2 or 3 hard SDKs off the walls in the 100 and 200 free, keeping me down long enough to surface comfortably past the flags, and maybe save my arms a bit so I will have more strength to finish strong.
