Just came back from the pool. Confused and frustrated about this six beat thing.
Here is what I am doing now: left leg kick down/right leg up(my right arm begins to stroke), left leg up/right leg down, left down/right up, left up/right down, left down/right up with my right arm enters the water. Is this a six beat kick or a 4 beat kick?
Another thing is about the integration of kicks and pulls. When I just kick, without any arm movement, it seems OK. I can get propulsion and feel that I kick from the hip, toes pointed and heels out of water. But everthing just does not work properly when I try to integrate the kick with the arm stroke. I no longer feel that I kick from my hip. And do not feel the kicks have produced any propulsion.
Any comment? Thanks in advance. And Merry Chrismas!(but I do not celebrate it.;)
Parents
Former Member
Hi Tree,
When I wrote 2 on left, 2 center, 2 on right, I was referring to my body's rotation during the backstroke kick. When I would rotate to the left, 2 kicks, when I was inbetween the rotation (center), 2 more kicks, and finally when I rotated to the right, 2 more kicks.
I don't live in Washington, but my husband is from that state, Longview actually. I live on the island of Roatan (chain of Bay Islands) just north of mainland Honduras (tropics).
I agree with the advice that Terry gave you; develop your "natural" stroke, minimize drag, find body balance. When these things start happening for you, the kick will fall into place so to speak, and it is then that you can try speeding it all up if you choose and finding your own 6-beat kick. Finding your own stroke within good guidelines, as well as learning to swim efficiently without struggling is paramount.
It sure does take time but that's the one constant thing we all have. I am still adjusting my stroke now that I am almost 59 due to life trying to take a toll on me (LOL).
Donna
Hi Tree,
When I wrote 2 on left, 2 center, 2 on right, I was referring to my body's rotation during the backstroke kick. When I would rotate to the left, 2 kicks, when I was inbetween the rotation (center), 2 more kicks, and finally when I rotated to the right, 2 more kicks.
I don't live in Washington, but my husband is from that state, Longview actually. I live on the island of Roatan (chain of Bay Islands) just north of mainland Honduras (tropics).
I agree with the advice that Terry gave you; develop your "natural" stroke, minimize drag, find body balance. When these things start happening for you, the kick will fall into place so to speak, and it is then that you can try speeding it all up if you choose and finding your own 6-beat kick. Finding your own stroke within good guidelines, as well as learning to swim efficiently without struggling is paramount.
It sure does take time but that's the one constant thing we all have. I am still adjusting my stroke now that I am almost 59 due to life trying to take a toll on me (LOL).
Donna
