It is not a stretch to say that breaststroke is about 1/3 of my IM. I know my timing if off, but my kick really stinks. I have no excuse; I have a short axis body type and strong legs from running and weights. What can I do to fix my kick? Thanks!!
Hey Fortress,
Don't know if you have tried it, but here's something that helps straighten my kick out when it is screwy... kick on your back. The focus should be on your knees NOT breaking the surface of the water. So from your shoulder to your knee should be a nice straight line. You can also think about not letting your knees get too far apart. Good luck!
My breaststroke is similarly suffering right now (although the kick is doing fine). Something is seriously messed up with my pull, streamline, or timing (likely a combination). How do I know this? Last week I was going the same speed doing 25's kick and 25's swim. Yes, adding the arms in did NOTHING to my stroke. And it was more tiring. Blech! Then last night we did 2x200, 100 easy fr, 2x200 and I did all the 200's ***. It nearly killed me. What hurt most? My arms. Dangit.
One of the drills my high school coach taught me that I still use is this:
50 - Hands together kick - Keep your hands together in front of you while you kick for 50 yards, you can pull your hands back a little to help you breathe if needed, but keep your hands together the whole time.
50 - Hands together on your back - Focusing on keeping your knees from breaking the surface of the water for 50 yards.
50 - Double kick Breaststroke - 2 kicks for each pull for 50 yards. Concentrate on keeping your head down and your body streamlined through both kicks. Try keeping your head facing down when you do come up to breathe.
50 - Regular Breaststroke - Swim regular Breaststroke for 50 yards. Concentrate on extending your glide and staying long, then slowly build your arm and leg speed but stay long!!!
Breaststroke is mostly timing.....staying as long as possible but still turning over fast.
Works for me personally and when I teach the youngsters.
