Personally, I think kickboards are evil, evil, evil. When I was swimming 20 years ago in high school I didn't see the point, and now that I'm 38 I still don't see the point.
Happily though, I've read in several books and seen on a few video tapes that many coaches have come around to my line of thinking, "Kickboards put you in an unnatural heads-up position, emphasize the least effective part of the stroke (the kick), and keep you from rotating."
Since I see people swim with kickboards every day I know many people disagree with me. But, there's no way they're going to change my mind. Instead - let's vote!
Parents
Former Member
kickboards are helpful, but I think they can mask problems such as poor streamline, poor ab strength, poor flexibility, ...
I don't think kickboards are meant to simulate the same kicking that is done during a stroke, but rather to give the swimmer a chance to work on their leg fitness and power, while having a steady supply of air.
If I was trying to work on the technique of my kick, I'd try and do it while swimming the stroke itself because kicking in the context of a stroke is quite different than isolated kicking. I can see how some tools such as zoomers would be helpful here as they don't interrupt stroke mechanics but can provide a bit more responsiveness to changes in the kick.
I do think that the arm position and head position are very odd though and might cause injury if held for too long. I find I have to be careful after using a kickboard because my arms and shoulders can tighten up a lot.
kickboards are helpful, but I think they can mask problems such as poor streamline, poor ab strength, poor flexibility, ...
I don't think kickboards are meant to simulate the same kicking that is done during a stroke, but rather to give the swimmer a chance to work on their leg fitness and power, while having a steady supply of air.
If I was trying to work on the technique of my kick, I'd try and do it while swimming the stroke itself because kicking in the context of a stroke is quite different than isolated kicking. I can see how some tools such as zoomers would be helpful here as they don't interrupt stroke mechanics but can provide a bit more responsiveness to changes in the kick.
I do think that the arm position and head position are very odd though and might cause injury if held for too long. I find I have to be careful after using a kickboard because my arms and shoulders can tighten up a lot.
