Keeping Kick and Stroke Connected

RE: Keeping Kick and Stroke Connected

Sojerz — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 11:33:51 GMT

I only own the big, holed paddles and some Zoomers. Are these okay for this sort of drill? They should work fine - zoomers are good for a fast beat kick, and big paddles seem to help slow down my stroke for drills like this. Think about a big down beat kick (Boom) with the foot in the fin each time the opposite arms enters. Switch the fins and paddles around when you are done working with one side. And then try it with both emphasizing the big kick when the opposite side hand enters. You should be able to get a boom-2-3-boom-2-3 with the opposite hand entering on each boom. then smooth out the rhythm and you have a basic 6 beat kick tied to your arm stroke. Also good for waltzing :)

RE: Keeping Kick and Stroke Connected

scales — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 10:57:19 GMT

That's another favorite of mine. You use a paddle on your weak arm and a fin on the opposite strong leg. It sounds awkward, but is very effective in getting you to hook up your pull & kick. This sounds pretty cool and just interesting to try! I'm sure my coach wouldn't mind me working it into our warm-ups. I will give this a try. I only own the big, holed paddles and some Zoomers. Are these okay for this sort of drill?

RE: Keeping Kick and Stroke Connected

scales — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 11:16:18 GMT

Thank you! I have not yet brought this up specifically, because I usually get caught up in some other weakness during that particular practice. I will take the time to mention this instead!

RE: Keeping Kick and Stroke Connected

Mark Usher — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 08:47:07 GMT

To add to Mark's ^^^ comment, our coach has us do a drill where you have a paddle on one hand and a fin on the opposite foot. Swim and you should feel the timing of your feet and hands, especially if you're off. There should be a point where they are connected. That's another favorite of mine. You use a paddle on your weak arm and a fin on the opposite strong leg. It sounds awkward, but is very effective in getting you to hook up your pull & kick.

RE: Keeping Kick and Stroke Connected

flystorms — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 07:16:23 GMT

RE: Keeping Kick and Stroke Connected

Mark Usher — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 02:25:54 GMT

My former Masters coach, Sheila Taormina, had us think "catch-kick", where as you initiated your arm catch with one arm, you would be kicking down with the opposite leg. We would swim drills just focusing on establishing that relationship & timing. One drill I liked in particular was 6-3-6, where you did six kicks, three full strokes, then six more kicks. Also, here is an article about kick timing from here on the USMS site: www.usms.org/.../articledisplay.php

RE: Keeping Kick and Stroke Connected

orca1946 — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 06:53:39 GMT

Hi All this looks good to improve your overall strength and swimming. With fins you will have a different timing as to your arms. Without them is a better way to feel the coordination of the 2 working in a better rhythm. You say you are on a masters team with a coach. Bring these things up before or during practice.