Fly Kick vs. Free Kick

I suggest testing each way of kicking with with a 25 AFAP IE do a 25 SDK AFAP for time then rest 3 or 4 minutes then do a 25 SFK AFAP SDK = Streamline Dolphin Kick SFK = Streamline Flutter Kick Consider "Help My Flutter Kick is Horrible" Thanks, Ande. Will do! Are you using a board? No, I use a snorkel with kicks so I don't have to think about breathing and for some reason, I can't do a fly kick with a kickboard. Well, I can do it but it feels awkward to me like it messes up my rhythm. Should I be using a kickboard? I never found them useful because I've never had a problem staying on top of the water without them.

Try fly kick on your back, it makes you kick up to the surface for a better extension & you can breathe. Have thought of joining a team?

I decided to get back into swimming after not swimming seriously for 30 years. Right now, I'm trying to figure out where my weaknesses are, time-wise, but my times don't make sense to me. Freestyle and backstroke have always been my fastest strokes. Butterfly has always been my weakest and *** stroke my slowest. I'm not concerned about my *** stroke right now but today, I discovered that my fly kick is significantly faster than my freestyle kick - like by 8 seconds in 25yds. I find this very weird, especially considering that I'm pigeon toed, making it impossible for me to keep my feet together during the fly kick. I would think that at the very least, my freestyle kick would be as fast as my fly, but not slower. Is this normal? I think there's something seriously wrong with my flutter and whatever is wrong, it's not related to drag (I've already ruled out drag). you asked "Is this normal?" Yes sort of. My fly kick is slightly faster than my flutter kick. but not 8 seconds faster, "I wish." I suggest testing each way of kicking with with a 25 AFAP IE do a 25 SDK AFAP for time then rest 3 or 4 minutes then do a 25 SFK AFAP SDK = Streamline Dolphin Kick SFK = Streamline Flutter Kick Consider "Help My Flutter Kick is Horrible"

I discovered that my fly kick is significantly faster than my freestyle kick - like by 8 seconds in 25yds. Are you using a board?

Have thought of joining a team? Apparently, I joined one and didn't know it until about a week ago. Unfortunately, the one I joined is 50 miles away. I'm looking in to switching. As others have mentioned on this thread, you'll need to have a coach take a look at the structure of your flutter kick and provide you with the appropriate drills to improve your kick. We provide this service online at Swimspire (www.swimspire.com/.../). Hey, that's neat! So, if I record one minute of each stroke (four mins total), will Swimspire analyze all of them for a one-hour analysis fee? Thanks for all of the advice. You guys are awesome! I'll keep this updated as things change, hopefully, for the better.

Generally speaking, the fly kick, especially off the walls, is a more efficient way to swim than the flutter kick - this is why swimmers like Phelps get in the maximum 15 meters of fly kick off of the walls in fly, bk and free or IM races. You yourself have realized the efficiency of the fly kick in your own swimming experience. Instead of comparing the speed of your fly vs flutter kick, therefore, you might want to focus instead on getting your flutter kick analyzed and determining what you can do to increase your speed and efficiency in that aspect of swimming. As others have mentioned on this thread, you'll need to have a coach take a look at the structure of your flutter kick and provide you with the appropriate drills to improve your kick. We provide this service online at Swimspire (www.swimspire.com/.../). At the same time, you can also work on continuing to develop your fly kick to use off of each wall. This will allow you to get an edge on your competition in your races. It is an accomplishment in itself to have the determination to seriously get back in the water after many years away, so it is most important to always keep that love for the sport and embrace the challenges! Good luck!

Well, I'm going to my first swim team practice tomorrow morning. Should I have given my coach a heads up that I'm coming? It was kind of a last minute decision. Better last minute than never, I suppose.

Absolutely! I will PM you.

It is reasonible to believe that the difference might come from the fact that fly kick better exploits the contribution from the whole body. Yep, the larger muscle groups engaged. The SDK is not necessarily more efficient, but (for most swimmers) more powerful. I'm slower dolphin kicking than flutter (due to simple genetics) - I no longer waste time with it. Consequently I am also slower under than at the surface. But like most others, kicking on my back is faster than on my belly, and the reason for this I believe is simply related to the greater backward propulsive force (range of leverage) the foot has when on back.

Well, I'm going to my first swim team practice tomorrow morning. Should I have given my coach a heads up that I'm coming? It was kind of a last minute decision. Better last minute than never, I suppose. I might have misinterpreted this but from your earlier posts it seems like you have registered for USMS and selected a club while you registered. To actually join that club you probably have to talk to the coach, fill out a form, and give them a check to pay for coaching and pool time however the club is structured. The USMS membership gives you the ability to compete in masters meets, insurance to let you swim with master's clubs, written practices on these forums, a magazine in the mail, the ability to track how far you swim and earn prizes, etc. Most clubs would be fine with you dropping in but it might be good to call beforehand to verify the practice time, that they have space for new members, and to see if they have any requirements from you such as printing out a membership form. Clubs often let you try for free before you need to pay.