I need some help with the proper kick cadence (sequence) in freestyle. I have been told that at hand entry the opposite side leg should be kicking down. So I guess the sequence should be coordinated as follows:
left leg kicks down as right leg kicks up - right arm enters water
left leg up/right leg down
left leg down/right leg up
left leg up/right leg down - left arm enters water
etc......
Is this right? I have been having a hard time achieving this and end up kicking sort of randomly. Are there any stroke drills to help implant the correct kick sequence into muscle memory?
Yes, you have the sequence correct for a 6-beat kick. And you are right it is hard to try to concentrate on kicking in the correct sequence while swimming.
One drill – is a 2-beat kick drill. Where your:
left leg kicks down as right leg kicks up - right arm enters water
left leg up/right leg down - left arm enters water.
In between when you would have normally tossed in other kicks you let your legs float. With this drill, you can over emphasize the down kick to better feel that left leg down, right hand in.
Additionally, you will find a number of swimmers who use a 2-beat kick almost exclusively while they swim.
I agree with Damage. I just kick enough to keep streamlined except for all out sprints or finishing hard on a longer swim. Anything more than that and I tire too quickly.
Wow! Way too much to think about. The only time I kick hard is in a sprint, and I only do that at the end of a distance event.
I guess I only keep my legs moving just enough so they dont drag the bottom.:cool:
