Treading water, once and for all, can someone solve this for me?
Former Member
I apologize for having three active threads. This is the last one. I promise. =)
I'm *REALLY* confused about treading water. I've seen all the videos. I understand what sculling is. I've tried numerous things in the water. I've heard all kinds of conflicting information.
As I understand it, there are various kinds of kicks you can use to varying degrees of efficiency including:
- an 'upright' breastroke kick
- a scissor kick
- a bicycle kick
- a 'frog' kick?
- an egg-beater kick
I don't fully understand the difference between all these kicks nor do I know which one is most efficient. What I do know is that I'm so frustrated with treading water, *I don't care* which one I learn. I just want to be able to stay upright in the deep end without assistance.
I asked my instructor if I could just try a scissor kick, and she said "no, it's most definitely not a scissor kick, it's a a bicycle kick" -- implying, I suppose, up and down motion of the legs like you would have on a bike.
But I've watched TI and GoSwim videos all of which show people successfully treading with a scissor kick.
And if I understand correctly, a scissor kick is what I would do normally on backstroke or freestyle.
So... is there any reason in the world that I shouldn't just stick with the scissor kick and hand-sculling for treading water? I need to pick one thing and focus on it, because I'm haphazardly trying all these different kicks and getting nowhere fast.
Thanks.
Parents
Former Member
Hi, I scissor kick when treading water, slow and wide like opening the scissors to cut paper. To me it's not hard on me and I can tread for longer periods of time, which that is what treading water is designed to do. Treading water is designed for - if your swimming and get tired, it helps you rest until you can either reach shore, the side of the pool or until help arrives.
Also your arms should move back and forth like frosting a cake. Keeping your palms verical so to push the water, if they are flat your cutting the water, you want to push.
Freestyle and backstoke uses a flutter kick, which I guess a person could see it as a scissor kick, but your legs are not spreading so wide, and your knees bend just a little.
Bicycle kick is just what is sound like, it's like your riding a bike, knees bend quite a bit. Not good for freestyle for backstroke.
Frog kick is what is used for the breaststroke kick.
And egg- beater - I think is what water polor players use.
Personally I teach my swimmers to tread with scissors kicks.
Hope this helps.
Reply
Former Member
Hi, I scissor kick when treading water, slow and wide like opening the scissors to cut paper. To me it's not hard on me and I can tread for longer periods of time, which that is what treading water is designed to do. Treading water is designed for - if your swimming and get tired, it helps you rest until you can either reach shore, the side of the pool or until help arrives.
Also your arms should move back and forth like frosting a cake. Keeping your palms verical so to push the water, if they are flat your cutting the water, you want to push.
Freestyle and backstoke uses a flutter kick, which I guess a person could see it as a scissor kick, but your legs are not spreading so wide, and your knees bend just a little.
Bicycle kick is just what is sound like, it's like your riding a bike, knees bend quite a bit. Not good for freestyle for backstroke.
Frog kick is what is used for the breaststroke kick.
And egg- beater - I think is what water polor players use.
Personally I teach my swimmers to tread with scissors kicks.
Hope this helps.
