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
Parents
Former Member
My simple & stupid idea is that it is easier on your back because you can see the surface of the water and spend less energy making sure you stay underwater.
As Craig notes, underwater dolphins can be difficult because most of us naturally float to the surface. Thus, we have to orient ourselves going slightly down to stay underwater. I also try to dolphin on my side after freestyle turns, and I find it just as awkward as dophining underwater on my front. On my back, however, I can see immediately whether I am drifting towards the surface, and apply just enough down force to maintain depth. This lets me think about applying force forward.
I suppose you could do the same thing looking at the bottom of the pool, but in my experience most pools slope downwards towards a deeper end at some point. Also, in deep competition pools, that bottom is a loonnngggg way away.
Matt
My simple & stupid idea is that it is easier on your back because you can see the surface of the water and spend less energy making sure you stay underwater.
As Craig notes, underwater dolphins can be difficult because most of us naturally float to the surface. Thus, we have to orient ourselves going slightly down to stay underwater. I also try to dolphin on my side after freestyle turns, and I find it just as awkward as dophining underwater on my front. On my back, however, I can see immediately whether I am drifting towards the surface, and apply just enough down force to maintain depth. This lets me think about applying force forward.
I suppose you could do the same thing looking at the bottom of the pool, but in my experience most pools slope downwards towards a deeper end at some point. Also, in deep competition pools, that bottom is a loonnngggg way away.
Matt
