Does anyone else here NOT kick when they swim freestyle?
When I was 19, a coach told me that a lot of "real" freestylers don't kick, which was a surprise to me because every other coach I'd had would yell at me to kick during my events. I grew up thinking I was the odd one out, but maybe someone on here knows what I'm talking about...
I'm guessing the coach may have meant that "real" freestylers (whatever that means) don't emphasize the kick. In which case "not kicking" is more like just letting your legs kick the minimum amount while you focus your energy on the arms and core muscles.
As people point out, in races where energy conservation isn't a factor (like the 50), if you have an effective kick there is no reason not to use it.
I'm guessing the coach may have meant that "real" freestylers (whatever that means) don't emphasize the kick. In which case "not kicking" is more like just letting your legs kick the minimum amount while you focus your energy on the arms and core muscles.
As people point out, in races where energy conservation isn't a factor (like the 50), if you have an effective kick there is no reason not to use it.
