I am a rookie in swimming so please take it easy on me if the question sounds too dumb.When swimming freestyle my ankles tend to criss-scross each other while flutter kicking.That happens when I rotate my body on the side for the arm recovery.Is it supposed to happen or are legs supposed to be parellel to each other at all times.How can I avoid doing that?
Thanks.
Most coaches try to remove any cross-over from kicks. Often the cross over of a symptom of something not right with the position of the torso and it’s rotation. Without knowing what is causing the crossover, it’s difficult to give suggestions on how to correct it.
You might want to try a 6-beat switch drill. Push off on your left side left arm extended, right arm at your side, maintaining a level body position. Kick 6 beats of flutter kick. Then take a stroke, rotating to your right side, right arm extended, and left arm at your side. Concentrate on your body position through the pull and don’t cross your feet.
There are lots of other drills, but without knowing what to fix, it is hard to hone in on one or two. If you have access to a coach and a Masters Program work with them.
Some people naturally have a crossover kick (two or four beat). If it works for you there may not be any reason to try to change it. At one time the two beat crossover was very common, esp. among distance swimmers. I use it but then again I don't get a lot of propulsion from my kick.
According to Maglischo (Swimming Fastest) the two beat crossover doesn't necessarily require correction. Additionally, he suggests that for whatever reason most people adopt a particular kicking rhythm naturally (two, four or six beat).
Maglischo & some coaches I've worked with say that the crossover kick is done by larger people naturally. That is to say tall swimmers who are big - football/water polo type bodies. I have noticed that this is generally true esp. with odd beat kicks. Those of us who are skinny don't need the extra power the cross gives to keep out bodies horizontal. Also, if you are a man and float easily, you shouldn't do a cross kick.
I noticed that a highschooler here had a crosskick. When he did kicking drills wiht a kickboard, he didn't do it. The cross beat really does help keep you stay horizontal but I would suggest getting rid of it and working on staying horizontal through body position in the water. It iwll help yuo roll some, esp, if you have bifg shoulders.
