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
I hate kickboards because they hurt my shoulders. Never use them. But I can see that they might be useful for BR kick, possbily flutter kick as well (although I don't use a board for flutter kicking). I can't see any use for kickboards for backstroke or dolphin kick though. Midas and Willow are right. For that, get a monofin or do shooters and longer kicks sans board.
BR kick is really the last thing you need to use a board for...go streamline kick, kick, kick, breathe, kick, kick, kick breathe...board just gets in the way. We're going to have some fun arguments a week from monday LOL
I use a board for egg beater drill though. You need the air. If I do flutter with a board I usually keep my head neutral and just rest my hands on the board. I think it's good for a strength workout but I tend to agree it has little to do with the actual stroke.
I hate kickboards because they hurt my shoulders. Never use them. But I can see that they might be useful for BR kick, possbily flutter kick as well (although I don't use a board for flutter kicking). I can't see any use for kickboards for backstroke or dolphin kick though. Midas and Willow are right. For that, get a monofin or do shooters and longer kicks sans board.
BR kick is really the last thing you need to use a board for...go streamline kick, kick, kick, breathe, kick, kick, kick breathe...board just gets in the way. We're going to have some fun arguments a week from monday LOL
I use a board for egg beater drill though. You need the air. If I do flutter with a board I usually keep my head neutral and just rest my hands on the board. I think it's good for a strength workout but I tend to agree it has little to do with the actual stroke.
