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
Interesting subject:
I too struggle with this, yet I feel better on my stomach then my back, and I swim backstroke races traditionally. I just thought after 45 years I wasn't as flexible, therefore unable to duplicate what the youngsters do. I do have some scoliosis and broke my right clavicle years ago, so I wasn't naturally as streamlined as I'd like to be anyway.
On the stomach: I find I need to concentrate pressing my breastplate slightly downward and open to attain a better streamline. Also concentrating on pinching my ears back with my biceps. My kicks are small and rapid and primarily from my knees to my toes.
On my back: here I have the skeletal structure problem; unable to adequately streamline with my arms above my head and a bit of an arched back, hence a quick turn, two to three quick kicks off the wall and I'm up and stroking. No possbility of dq'ing--going farther then 15 meters.
As far as doing underwater 25s I do 2 types: I like to start off on my stomach for 3 kicks, rotate to my side for three, and then finish on my back; and then what I feel is the best, is just a long glide and then streamline freestyle kicking.
Interesting subject:
I too struggle with this, yet I feel better on my stomach then my back, and I swim backstroke races traditionally. I just thought after 45 years I wasn't as flexible, therefore unable to duplicate what the youngsters do. I do have some scoliosis and broke my right clavicle years ago, so I wasn't naturally as streamlined as I'd like to be anyway.
On the stomach: I find I need to concentrate pressing my breastplate slightly downward and open to attain a better streamline. Also concentrating on pinching my ears back with my biceps. My kicks are small and rapid and primarily from my knees to my toes.
On my back: here I have the skeletal structure problem; unable to adequately streamline with my arms above my head and a bit of an arched back, hence a quick turn, two to three quick kicks off the wall and I'm up and stroking. No possbility of dq'ing--going farther then 15 meters.
As far as doing underwater 25s I do 2 types: I like to start off on my stomach for 3 kicks, rotate to my side for three, and then finish on my back; and then what I feel is the best, is just a long glide and then streamline freestyle kicking.
