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!
Former Member
The Nays Lead.
George: I don't think you can count the 4th option as nay; they're non-votes in Pro/Con. Are you with the South Florida Election Committee for Chad counting?:rofl:
I like the way Hookedon counts it.
Actually the poll is set up in a way that you can say that the numbers of people thinking that a kickboard is a useful tool and those thinking the opposite are almost even since poll answers 1,2 and 4 obviously do not mean that a kickboard is a useful tool(evil/useless/chance to talk), making the number of people thinking that 30 against 31 thinking the opposite.
Oh, I also use them to keep track of sets. If I'm swimming 4x100, I'll turn the board one-quarter turn with each set.
Come to think of it, lately I've used a kickboard more than any other device.
. . . and once, my daughter took two kickboards, and held them over her head saying, "Those who do not live by the law, shall DIE by the law." Then she threw them in the pool.
. . . and once, my daughter took two kickboards, and held them over her head saying, "Those who do not live by the law, shall DIE by the law." Then she threw them in the pool.
That's the most purposeful use I've seen for them yet! :applaud:
I just remembered another use for kick boards. This is a drill I read about,take 2 kick boards and put them under you at your center of buoyancy(lying prone in the water.)Start with your arms and legs spread for balance and the slowly move them together until you are in streamline position.Hold for 30 sec. When that gets easy go to 3 boards etc.The most I ever held for 30 sec. was 5.This is a good drill for balance,body position and core strength.It can also be done on your back.
