flutter kick (feet position) question

Former Member
Former Member
Hi guys...I've read that the ankle flexibility (plantar flexion? pardon the spelling) is very important in flutter kick, as they can mean the difference with a kick with or without propulsive force... My question is, to get my feet to an angle that has some propulsive force I have to "force it slightly", as in it's obviously not my natural feet position. Therefore, do I intentionally "point my toes" when i am doing the down kick of the flutter kick? Or should I just relax the ankle during the entire kicking phase? Thanks for any response!
Parents
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    The knee bends slightly on the upkick but stays relatively straight on the down kick--all the way to the point of the leg moving forward. One of the problems with those who tend to go backwards when they kick is that they bend the knee before the legs is as far back as it is going to go making a "pawing" motion. With the knee bent at that point it is harder to generate the kick from the hip. The kick is like a mini undulation of each leg in a way. Starting at the hip and traveling down the leg causing a "flick" at the ankles/feet at the end. This takes relaxed legs. As far as the pigeon toed look--if you look at your feet there is a broad flatter area between the second toe and the fifth toe. When the foot is angled in, that part of the foot presses against the water. If you keep the foot straight the top of the arch is the prominant part grabbing at the water and it's surface isn't as large and tends slip rather than grab.
Reply
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    The knee bends slightly on the upkick but stays relatively straight on the down kick--all the way to the point of the leg moving forward. One of the problems with those who tend to go backwards when they kick is that they bend the knee before the legs is as far back as it is going to go making a "pawing" motion. With the knee bent at that point it is harder to generate the kick from the hip. The kick is like a mini undulation of each leg in a way. Starting at the hip and traveling down the leg causing a "flick" at the ankles/feet at the end. This takes relaxed legs. As far as the pigeon toed look--if you look at your feet there is a broad flatter area between the second toe and the fifth toe. When the foot is angled in, that part of the foot presses against the water. If you keep the foot straight the top of the arch is the prominant part grabbing at the water and it's surface isn't as large and tends slip rather than grab.
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