:drowning:
Yes, that's how I feel when there's any kickboard set. I know this kind of thing is good for me, but it's hair-tearing frustrating to do this. I know that there are techniques--kick from the hips, keep legs straight, etc. But even making my best effort at doing these things, I am beyond :frustrated: ... and it may be that as the frustration level rose, I tensed more and found it harder (telling self, "you idiot--others are doing this... why can't you?" which of course doesn't help, so I have to focus on my own workout).
Well, mostly the others are wearing fins, so that helped me somewhat to know that it wasn't just me. So I'm thinking I'll order a pair, but first two questions:
1. If you can recommend any videos or offer any tips that would help, that would be great;
2. Those who use fins: which ones have worked best for you?
Thanks for your suggestions. You could single-handedly save my kick. Is that not a good cause? ;)
Recently I attended a live presentation webinar at the USOTC by Russel Mark. He talked about what made a good kick or a bad kick. He showed films of US Olympians with good kicks and bad kicks. In a good kick, the knee is bent and then the leg is extended, much like kicking a soccer ball. As the leg is extended, the knee stayed stationary in the water. In a bad kick, the knee is bent and then as the leg is extended, the knee moves upwards. This would be as if when you extended you leg to kick a soccer ball your knee moved backwards. All of the power in the kick is lost as the knee moves backwards. Perhaps you can have someone watch your kick underwater and see if your knee moves up as your foot goes down. You could also go into the corner of the pool, hold the sides of the pool, kick vertically and see if your knee moves backwards or stays forwards as you kick your foot forwards. Here is a link to a short video were you might be able to see what I am trying to describe.
www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx
Maybe this will help to improve your kick.
Recently I attended a live presentation webinar at the USOTC by Russel Mark. He talked about what made a good kick or a bad kick. He showed films of US Olympians with good kicks and bad kicks. In a good kick, the knee is bent and then the leg is extended, much like kicking a soccer ball. As the leg is extended, the knee stayed stationary in the water. In a bad kick, the knee is bent and then as the leg is extended, the knee moves upwards. This would be as if when you extended you leg to kick a soccer ball your knee moved backwards. All of the power in the kick is lost as the knee moves backwards. Perhaps you can have someone watch your kick underwater and see if your knee moves up as your foot goes down. You could also go into the corner of the pool, hold the sides of the pool, kick vertically and see if your knee moves backwards or stays forwards as you kick your foot forwards. Here is a link to a short video were you might be able to see what I am trying to describe.
www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx
Maybe this will help to improve your kick.
