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
I wanted to clarify,
When I teach how to tread water using the scissor kick, I tell them they need to draw/bend your knees up about waist high then, start to push out and downward with one leg in front and one in back making the scissor kick, making your feet meet together, under you. I usually tell people to make your feet touch by putting one foot on top of the other, until they get it.
Then again bend you knees up about waist high and repeat they leg motion. Only one leg goes forward, just as only one leg only go back, like a pair of scissors.
I wanted to clarify,
When I teach how to tread water using the scissor kick, I tell them they need to draw/bend your knees up about waist high then, start to push out and downward with one leg in front and one in back making the scissor kick, making your feet meet together, under you. I usually tell people to make your feet touch by putting one foot on top of the other, until they get it.
Then again bend you knees up about waist high and repeat they leg motion. Only one leg goes forward, just as only one leg only go back, like a pair of scissors.
