Stupid Question:
Why is it more difficult to do dolphin kick on your stomach underwater than on your back underwater?
It seems that I can kick easier, faster and longer on my back than I can on my stomach.
Is this a matter of biomechanics or am I just a loser who can't do fly kick very well on his stomach underwater?
John Smith
john I suspect your guess is correct it is because you are a loser
(is it looser or loser)
have you tested and timed each?
a. Dive in roll over and kick a 25 on your back for time
vs
b. Dive in and kick a 25 on your belly for time
I too feel more comfortable dolphin kicking on my back
and I'm probably faster
maybe it has to do with the fact that on our backs
we are looking up and can bend at the waist
but I really don't know,
It might be a matter of preference and training
the world may never know
many current UT swimmers take several dolphin kicks
off the start and wall in their sprint freestyles
phelps does it, Kubik was telling me about how far and fast phelps goes with his dolphin kick off each wall
you gotta be tough to take 4 dolphin kicks off each wall in a 200 free the last few are excruciating
Raz
Originally posted by TheGoodSmith
Stupid Question:
Why is it more difficult to do dolphin kick on your stomach underwater than on your back underwater?
It seems that I can kick easier, faster and longer on my back than I can on my stomach.
Is this a matter of biomechanics or am I just a loser who can't do fly kick very well on his stomach underwater?
John Smith
Originally posted by ande
john I suspect your guess is correct it is because you are a loser
(is it looser or loser)
He's a loser because his lower back isn't looser :)
I don't really know the answer either, although I do think I know where GoodSmith is coming from. I feel better dolphin kicking on my back, too, but can't say I really feel greater either way.
that's funny
john should I tell folks the story about your fan who used to watch TV by the entrance to the UT athletic dining hall
what was her nick name?
raz
Originally posted by knelson
He's a loser because his lower back isn't looser :)
I don't really know the answer either, although I do think I know where GoodSmith is coming from. I feel better dolphin kicking on my back, too, but can't say I really feel greater either way.
I too think it has to do with core systems and gravity. Just talking off the top of my head here, but ...
The muscles that work the hardest for kicking are the quadriceps. On your back, they provide the propulsion better kicking upwards than when you're on your stomach kicking downwards.
But I'm horrible on both sides. John has witnessed it.
This is why I doubt I'll gain much from the dolphin kick on breaststroke.
I read a post here about an olympic swimmer who dolphin kicks on her side off the walls in freestyle events. I can't recall the name right now. I tried it and it seems more natural to me.
Originally posted by ande
that's funny
john should I tell folks the story about your fan who used to watch TV by the entrance to the UT athletic dining hall
what was her nick name?
raz
Was this the inspiration for the movie Swim Fan? I kick better on my belly than back, btw.
Seriously, Geek.......... why is this so?
When I do fly kick on my stomach underwater, I have to consciously drive my body position downward to keep from coming to the surface. It is not comfortable. When I do dolphin kick on my back, it is a much more relaxed endeavor.
Apart from my being a loser solution to the problem.... I suspect it has something to do with your lungs sitting a bit forward on the chest and your ability to arch/flex your lower back. Could be that I'm not flexible enough in my lower back.... but then that would hinder it on my back. I can't figure this thing out.
John Smith
I want to know the answer to this as well. When I dolphin kick on my stomach it seems to come mostly from the legs whereas when I am on my back it's more of a body dolphin and is much more effective.
330 MAN nailed it. The feeling on your back is different than on your stomach. It is not as fluid on your stomach.
Now I have noticed that great underwater dolphin kickers seem to have an ability to flex from their hips down while keeping their upper body fairly still and streamlined. Maybe its a strength/flexibility issue in the lower back. But why is it not a parallel feeling either way?
There's got to be some gravity issue or biomechanic issue here.
John Smith
