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.
Thanks Elaine. I do that a little bit but I'm not sure I'm getting accurate times. Like, I finish at 15 yards, or 20 yards or at the wall and then look at my watch. Then I start trying to figure out how long it took me to raise my wrist up near my face in order to see the time (ha ha, old eyes!!) and then do the subtraction.
But, it's all relative, right? If you do it the same way each time, you will know if you went faster or slower. When my husband times me on 25's, they always seem faster than when I time myself. I'm losing that time it takes to look at my watch; I figure it's about .5. So, I know not to get too excited when he tells me I broke 20 on a 25 yard breaststroke!
Just come up with a consistent way of checking your watch for an accurate comparison.
Regardless, keep on kickin'! :cheerleader:
Yes ↑ , just any athletic watch will do. Some can store 30+ splits and cost less than $30. Just get one that has a nice big start/stop button that detentes easily.
As far as accuracy is concerned, it really is not needed for gauging progress. Precision is the important thing, and the more you time yourself, the more precise it becomes. You just have to standardize the procedure, use the same pool (even lane), time of day, suit, kick board, and method of time.
You can do it like this:
With board in hand ready to go, hit start then GO!
Kick
Hit the wall and STOP as soon as you can.
Once you've gotten your timing down after a dozen or so practice attempts, your precision should be within 0.2 - 0.5 seconds, which is quite reasonable for gauging.
Once you do the real test, try 3 attempts with 5 minutes rest. Don't forget to kick as if a crocodile is chasing you and think through the wall.
Thanks Elaine. I do that a little bit but I'm not sure I'm getting accurate times. Like, I finish at 15 yards, or 20 yards or at the wall and then look at my watch. Then I start trying to figure out how long it took me to raise my wrist up near my face in order to see the time (ha ha, old eyes!!) and then do the subtraction.
Anybody here working on kicking FASTER?
This past season, I did more flutter kicking with a board.
Pick a program, Do it, Report your results.
It works when you work it!
LINKS to Speed Training Programs:
Help My flutter Kick is Horrible
U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums - View Single Post - Help My Flutter Kick is Horrible!
my original advice
Help my SDK is Horrible
Help! My SDK is Horrible! - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums
Help my Speed is Horrible
Help My Speed is Horrible! - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums
Wow, great forum. I can't wait to try some of these drills.
I have been swimming for years with minimal progress, and I finally came to the conclusion it is my kick, something i have never worked on much. Like some of the other posters, I have had a lot of problems with cramping. The few drills I have worked on recently seem to help. My biggest issue appears to be stiff ankles and feet. I have size 11.5 feet so i think I could kick OK if I can improve my flexibility.
What is the best way to do this? Would the drills themselves accomplish this? I have tried some stretching exercises over the last couple of months, but I don't appear to have made much progress. A friend suggested that it is really hard to improve ankle and foot flexibilty.
Thanks for the help!
Anyone have any kicking advice for someone that has had foot/ankle surgeries in the past? One of my issues is that my ankles are not very flexible and I can not completely point my feet due to achelies tendons being lengthened in some reconstruction surgeries. The only way I seem to get any propulsion from kicking is when I'm on my back. I get nothing during freestyle, seems like I can kick just enough to keep my body straight in the water. Is it hopeless for me?
Anyone have any kicking advice for someone that has had foot/ankle surgeries in the past? One of my issues is that my ankles are not very flexible and I can not completely point my feet due to achelies tendons being lengthened in some reconstruction surgeries. The only way I seem to get any propulsion from kicking is when I'm on my back. I get nothing during freestyle, seems like I can kick just enough to keep my body straight in the water. Is it hopeless for me?
Not sure
Attempt to stretch to improve your toe point, carefully
Part is ankle flexibility & part is foot flexibility
Goal: flutter kick 50 LCM (SCM) in 41 (39)
from push
no board
use snorkel
no SDK's off the start (or turn)
42.mid on 3/14/14 (SCM)
44.0 on 3/8/14 (SCM)
Thanks Ande,
Last year my 25's reached a maximum velocity at just under 0:18. I will rest up and do a 25 and 50 SCM time trial next week.
The 41 LCM goal I feel, will definitely be a hard earned pursuit.
I've also learned good kicking requires among other things, a certain feel and narrow range
