I have trouble keep my hips high up at the water. I think it is mainly because of my kicks. My flutter kicks are also sometimes irregular such as when i kick at the right, only my right leg kicks at the right, my left leg is either dead or kicking flat. I remember hearing that when you see a swimmer high up in the water ( hips visible) , you know that guy is swimming very fast.
So i want to concentrate on my flutter kicking as it is such a HUGE factor in swimming. Now i seen some posts from internet that kick board kicking only improves endurance and not speed. Is that true or there are some drills which helps kicking?
I have trouble keep my hips high up at the water. I think it is mainly because of my kicks. My flutter kicks are also sometimes irregular such as when i kick at the right, only my right leg kicks at the right, my left leg is either dead or kicking flat. I remember hearing that when you see a swimmer high up in the water ( hips visible) , you know that guy is swimming very fast.
So i want to concentrate on my flutter kicking as it is such a HUGE factor in swimming. Now i seen some posts from internet that kick board kicking only improves endurance and not speed. Is that true or there are some drills which helps kicking?
Hi SpeedoRocks, kicking is definitely an essential part of your stroke, so its great to hear that you are focusing on strengthening your kick. There are benefits and disadvantages to the kickboard. Disadvantages include over-use of the board, which actually can put stress on your shoulders, neck and lower back, while you are resting your arms on the board. You can try either using a smaller kickboard, or you can keep the board at arms-length while you are kicking.
Alternatives to the board include kicking on your side and a more challenging drill is the hyperkick, during which you keep your arms hyperextended in front of you and kick, either keeping your head up at all times with the elbows locked as you hyperextend your arms (the most challenging version) or keeping your head down and lifting it occasionally to breathe. Hyperkick should only be practiced over short distances. You can also do drills that involve kicking within the context of the pull motion (single arm, and so forth).
Good luck!
I have trouble keep my hips high up at the water. I think it is mainly because of my kicks. My flutter kicks are also sometimes irregular such as when i kick at the right, only my right leg kicks at the right, my left leg is either dead or kicking flat. I remember hearing that when you see a swimmer high up in the water ( hips visible) , you know that guy is swimming very fast.
So i want to concentrate on my flutter kicking as it is such a HUGE factor in swimming. Now i seen some posts from internet that kick board kicking only improves endurance and not speed. Is that true or there are some drills which helps kicking?
Hi SpeedoRocks, kicking is definitely an essential part of your stroke, so its great to hear that you are focusing on strengthening your kick. There are benefits and disadvantages to the kickboard. Disadvantages include over-use of the board, which actually can put stress on your shoulders, neck and lower back, while you are resting your arms on the board. You can try either using a smaller kickboard, or you can keep the board at arms-length while you are kicking.
Alternatives to the board include kicking on your side and a more challenging drill is the hyperkick, during which you keep your arms hyperextended in front of you and kick, either keeping your head up at all times with the elbows locked as you hyperextend your arms (the most challenging version) or keeping your head down and lifting it occasionally to breathe. Hyperkick should only be practiced over short distances. You can also do drills that involve kicking within the context of the pull motion (single arm, and so forth).
Good luck!
