I have always used a 6-beat flutter kick when swimming freestyle - nothing else feels "natural."
I have noticed that when I do sets of 100s, my times are actually faster when I do then with a pull buoy than when I swim - by about 5 secs. - and I can maintain the same time for 6-8 100s.
It would appear my kick is actually slowing me down and I don't know what to do to fix it.
I was a fairly good swimming 25 years ago and coaches back then told me my technique was great. Even now the non-competitive lap swimmers who watch me swim also comment how nice and smooth and rhythmic my stroke looks and "sounds" lap after lap. (My point is I'm not "thrashing around the pool" or making beginner swimmer's errors).
Also, no one I swim with competes and I don't belong to a swim club, so no coach to consult.
Here's what I'm thinking: When I use a pull buoy, my hips are higher causing less drag. I'm thinking that I need to keep my nose pointed straight down to raise my hips.
All suggestions/advice/drills are welcome! Please help.
Parents
Former Member
Thanks for everyone's input. I took George's advice and considered the points from Paul's links and put them "to the test" this a.m.
This morning I did a 1000 yd timed swim, concentrated on finishing my stroke and used a 2-beat kick. I discovered that I was not nearly as tired as I normally am when swimming the 1000 and I knocked off 20 secs from my 1000 yd timed swim from Monday!
Of course I am quite slow and so 20 secs isn't huge - I have lots of room for improvement, but I was very pleased. The swim felt really good for a Friday a.m. as I am usually very tired and slow by week's end.
Does anyone have input or advice on a 2-beat v. 6-beat kick? I'm thinking 2 beat for races more than 200 yds/meters and 6-beat for 200 yds/meters and less. Perhaps once my conditioning improves than my stamina will improve and I can 6-beat the whole way.
Thanks for everyone's input. I took George's advice and considered the points from Paul's links and put them "to the test" this a.m.
This morning I did a 1000 yd timed swim, concentrated on finishing my stroke and used a 2-beat kick. I discovered that I was not nearly as tired as I normally am when swimming the 1000 and I knocked off 20 secs from my 1000 yd timed swim from Monday!
Of course I am quite slow and so 20 secs isn't huge - I have lots of room for improvement, but I was very pleased. The swim felt really good for a Friday a.m. as I am usually very tired and slow by week's end.
Does anyone have input or advice on a 2-beat v. 6-beat kick? I'm thinking 2 beat for races more than 200 yds/meters and 6-beat for 200 yds/meters and less. Perhaps once my conditioning improves than my stamina will improve and I can 6-beat the whole way.
