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!
For some reason, dolphin kicking with a board fatigues me or causes unknown pain that I don't know what from, so I honestly don't do it. I'll do SDK on my back, or flutter kick with a board, but that's about it for me kicking.
Funny, dolphin kick with a board is the only kind of kicking I can tolerate for more than a 25. It's a lot faster (correction:less slower) than flutter kick. SDK on your back doesn't seem to be technically difficult, but I must not have figured out how to do it.
For some reason, dolphin kicking with a board fatigues me or causes unknown pain that I don't know what from, so I honestly don't do it. I'll do SDK on my back, or flutter kick with a board, but that's about it for me kicking.
Almost the same thing here. I use a board to flutter kick free, but no board for flutter back or SDK (I usually do 1 length on my side, 1 length on my back). I noticed with the board less undulation, and more time and kicks as opposed to not using a board.
Interesting study.
I also find dolphin kick with a board to be fatiguing, but I figure that's a normal and essential aspect of getting stronger/faster. I get lower back pain if I do dolphin kicking with a board and flippers, but usually foot pain from rubbing and chafing from the flippers is a bigger problem. I used flippers today for the first time in about 3 weeks because I was letting a blister heal.
Weird. I am more likely to get back pain from flutter kicking than dolphin kicking. My back always feels good after dolphin kicking.
If Usain Bolt were to adopt such a diva mentality
...because Usain Bolt is presently so unassuming? Your standards of "divanity" are very high! I think Fort's divanity is quite evident, she has even admitted to it on occasions. All true sprinters are divas, I think; I seem to remember that being her tagline at one point.
I was in a SCY pool this morning and honestly forgot all about your request. I did do a 50 fly kick underwater (with an open turn) in a streamline position, taking 42 kicks total, if that helps. I suspect my count would be a little higher with a board due to the higher resistance on the surface, possibly 44-45 kicks. I'll try to remember to do it tomorrow.
Leslie, please do not consider this a snippy retort, but if the World Record holder in the 50 butterfly can't kick a single 50 butterfly with a board and without fins, what is this world coming to?
I understand you sprinters have a different mentality ...
You are, I think, flirting with divahood here.
I actually did it today at the end of warm up and voted in your silly poll. However, had I read this first, I wouldn't have!
Flirting? I am, truly, a sprint diva. And it still says so right under "The Fortress." I enjoy being a masters diva. So much nicer than being a mindless workhorse yardage monster. I'm sure my divanity is reinforced by the fact that I train solo most of the time. I now can't abide anyone telling me how much rest I don't need or how many more events I should swim. :)
If more people used fins, they'd get faster at fly. So I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention that I never swim fly without fins. Shhhh!
Hmm ... looks like another diva entered 10 or less kicks per 50.
...because Usain Bolt is presently so unassuming? Your standards of "divanity" are very high! I think Fort's divanity is quite evident, she has even admitted to it on occasions. All true sprinters are divas, I think; I seem to remember that being her tagline at one point.
I was in a SCY pool this morning and honestly forgot all about your request. I did do a 50 fly kick underwater (with an open turn) in a streamline position, taking 42 kicks total, if that helps. I suspect my count would be a little higher with a board due to the higher resistance on the surface, possibly 44-45 kicks. I'll try to remember to do it tomorrow.
I did it today after workout.
First time moderate 42 (20/22) in 45 seconds
Second time faster 46 (22/24) in 40 seconds
These two responses strike me as pretty accurate of the high end dolphin kickers. Chris, I think you are correct about needing a few more kicks with a board, but you might surprise yourself here--probably only a couple more, at most, per length.
When I did it, it took me 28 per 25 yards underwater without a board as opposed 30 on the surface.
no200fly, you of the most misleading name! Why don't you try swimming a 200 fly by doing the first 100 all kicks, followed by a 100 fly for real? Excellent combination of speed and low kick count.
Between 42 kicks in 45 seconds, and 46 kicks in 40 seconds (remarkable time, by the way), there must be some point of intersection where you are doing exactly one kick per second--my guess is somewhere around 44 kicks in 44 seconds. Pretty good metronome!
Chris, I think you are correct about needing a few more kicks with a board, but you might surprise yourself here--probably only a couple more, at most, per length.
Possibly. I was also pushing the kick a bit (in terms of effort/speed) and I probably won't be trying so hard when I do it with the kickboard, so it may end up about the same.
