Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to prevent my legs from dropping as I attempt to backstroke? I learned how to swim last year, but I did a lot of faking it by not really using my legs that much. This year I want to do it right so I can't seem to make both my arms and legs move at the same time.
Parents
Former Member
A couple of suggestions...
As you finish each stroke past the hips, you sould be rotated onto that same hip. Make a strong effort to just break the surface with that same hip/side that just finished the armstroke. You will find it very difficult to let the legs drop if the hips are high.. They are attached, according to the physiology book I read from.
Also, think about the kick being two phases.. upbeat and downbeat. Now... most everyone on backstroke kicks hard on the upbeat towards the surface, but very few kick hard on the downbeat towards the bottom. By thinking about emphasizing both stages of the kick, you may find that this keeps better acceleration from your kick into your whole stroke, and keeps the kick higher up towards the surface and more in-line with the whole body. This will result in les resistance and easier acceleration.
Disclaimer: I HATE BACKSTROKE! I know how to do it technically because of the many hours of coaching in my past, but I hate the stroke and see it as a great way to wreck a perfectly good IM.
Rob
A couple of suggestions...
As you finish each stroke past the hips, you sould be rotated onto that same hip. Make a strong effort to just break the surface with that same hip/side that just finished the armstroke. You will find it very difficult to let the legs drop if the hips are high.. They are attached, according to the physiology book I read from.
Also, think about the kick being two phases.. upbeat and downbeat. Now... most everyone on backstroke kicks hard on the upbeat towards the surface, but very few kick hard on the downbeat towards the bottom. By thinking about emphasizing both stages of the kick, you may find that this keeps better acceleration from your kick into your whole stroke, and keeps the kick higher up towards the surface and more in-line with the whole body. This will result in les resistance and easier acceleration.
Disclaimer: I HATE BACKSTROKE! I know how to do it technically because of the many hours of coaching in my past, but I hate the stroke and see it as a great way to wreck a perfectly good IM.
Rob
