I am slow, and when I mean slow, I mean slow. I can do a 26 sec 50 with fins, but without I come in just under 1:20! I think a big part of it is just taking the fins off and doing a lot of kick sets to learn to feel the water better with my feet. I have a good breaststroke kick so I don't think my problem is an overly weak pair of legs, although they could be in better shape. Also, myankles are fairly flexible as I can point my toes and make my feet bend backwards past an even position with my shins. However, I do think that I need to loosen up my ankles when I kick. I feel like I get more out of my kick for those brief moments when I allow my ankles to snap back and forth with my kick. I think I actually need to relax more to kick faster as weird as that sounds.
I suppose the answer to my question is that I simply need to take of the fins and do kick set after kick set until I learn to feel the water better with my feet and become more efficient.
Well, George, that's your view. But you haven't competed in awhile. I think a good kick is critical too, and I do a lot of fast kicking in training. I am not a "full stroke" person. By definition, it can't be a "waste of time" if it results in national rankings. Thus, I am hard pressed to believe that ande and Paul Smith are wasting their time kicking. Plus, in the long run, it helps save the shoulders. Good technique alone won't do that. Are you sure that hotel pool you're swimming in is even 15 yards long? :thhbbb:
Boy am I glad I read through all the unread posts here before responding! You hit the nail on the head. I'm sure the people working on their kick have a few more years before they put themselves out to competitive pasture.
If you're just swimming from here to there, yes, there's not really much point to working on your kicking, but if you're trying to get from point a to point b as quick as possible, every bit helps and thats where kicking comes in. :weightlifter:
Well, George, that's your view. But you haven't competed in awhile. I think a good kick is critical too, and I do a lot of fast kicking in training. I am not a "full stroke" person. By definition, it can't be a "waste of time" if it results in national rankings. Thus, I am hard pressed to believe that ande and Paul Smith are wasting their time kicking. Plus, in the long run, it helps save the shoulders. Good technique alone won't do that. Are you sure that hotel pool you're swimming in is even 15 yards long? :thhbbb:
Boy am I glad I read through all the unread posts here before responding! You hit the nail on the head. I'm sure the people working on their kick have a few more years before they put themselves out to competitive pasture.
If you're just swimming from here to there, yes, there's not really much point to working on your kicking, but if you're trying to get from point a to point b as quick as possible, every bit helps and thats where kicking comes in. :weightlifter:
