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
Tree,
I am also new to correct swimming techniques and the great advice given in these postings is like having your own private coaching staff at any hour of the day/night. I did nothing but kickboard and breathing exercises at first (I watched videos of Stanford's Swim team to learn basic techniques). When I felt that I had correctly adopted an acceptable technique (breathing and kicking) I added the arm strokes. As George said three kicks per arm stroke. If you have any musical training it is analogous to the triplet in music. ONE two three with the arm stroke on ONE. As I got more comfortable with this basic I concentrated on a stronger kick on the ONE with less aggressive kicks on two three. This helped me to conserve energy and not kick myself out. Good luck, hope this helps a little bit.
Donna,
Your advice about an "extra set of eyes" did not go unappreciated. My approach, at least at present, is to try to develop a technique that is worth observing and assimilate enough knowledge to be able to put any wothwhile coaching advice to good use.
Tree,
I am also new to correct swimming techniques and the great advice given in these postings is like having your own private coaching staff at any hour of the day/night. I did nothing but kickboard and breathing exercises at first (I watched videos of Stanford's Swim team to learn basic techniques). When I felt that I had correctly adopted an acceptable technique (breathing and kicking) I added the arm strokes. As George said three kicks per arm stroke. If you have any musical training it is analogous to the triplet in music. ONE two three with the arm stroke on ONE. As I got more comfortable with this basic I concentrated on a stronger kick on the ONE with less aggressive kicks on two three. This helped me to conserve energy and not kick myself out. Good luck, hope this helps a little bit.
Donna,
Your advice about an "extra set of eyes" did not go unappreciated. My approach, at least at present, is to try to develop a technique that is worth observing and assimilate enough knowledge to be able to put any wothwhile coaching advice to good use.
