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
I agree, calling it backstroke does not help !
The very first thing that i tell new swimmers in my club is not to think of the stroke as swum on your back.
The only time that you are fully on your back is when pushing off the wall underwater in the start or turn at all other times your body is rolling from one side to the other.
Here, in the learn to swim programs, teach the kids to stay flat on the back and kick up and down ( leg kick ) and flat on back, circle arms. Then they expect the kids to make the leap to good body rotation linked with arm action.Their drill progressions are all wrong.
Most every young kid i get Hates backstroke. I have to spend a few weeks teaching them to get on their sides and rotate well. Eventually they learn to love the stroke.
Have you tried using a half filled cup of water balanced on your forehead ? With a bit of practice you can keep it in position when swimming full stroke and when swimming 1 arm only, and body roll drills with arms at sides.
If the cup spills, you have allowed your head to move. I swim this myself and i will do all the drills with the cup balanced and then work on speed development to where i am sprinting at max.
It is great fun especially for the kids.
:)
I agree, calling it backstroke does not help !
The very first thing that i tell new swimmers in my club is not to think of the stroke as swum on your back.
The only time that you are fully on your back is when pushing off the wall underwater in the start or turn at all other times your body is rolling from one side to the other.
Here, in the learn to swim programs, teach the kids to stay flat on the back and kick up and down ( leg kick ) and flat on back, circle arms. Then they expect the kids to make the leap to good body rotation linked with arm action.Their drill progressions are all wrong.
Most every young kid i get Hates backstroke. I have to spend a few weeks teaching them to get on their sides and rotate well. Eventually they learn to love the stroke.
Have you tried using a half filled cup of water balanced on your forehead ? With a bit of practice you can keep it in position when swimming full stroke and when swimming 1 arm only, and body roll drills with arms at sides.
If the cup spills, you have allowed your head to move. I swim this myself and i will do all the drills with the cup balanced and then work on speed development to where i am sprinting at max.
It is great fun especially for the kids.
:)
