I noticed that Natalie Coughlin kicks underwater dolphin kick on her side for the 100m fly SCM recently. I have always felt it was easier to kick on your side or kick on your back. Why it is easier than face down, I don't know. Perhaps it is physics...... perhaps it's just my own inability. I didn't know it was legal to kick all the way on your side on fly.
This sport has changed too much. There's too much "cheatin" going on now. I can't handle it..... :-)
John Smith
Parents
Former Member
I've been told that elite swimmers kick on their sides on the push-off because that way you don't get waves reflected from the bottom of the pool. The idea is that in shallow pools, a wave from a dolphin kick gets bounced off the bottom back up to the swimmer, slowing them down. In deep pools, I don't see how this would matter. It's hard for me to see how it would matter even in shallow pools, but then again I'm not at Natalie's level.
I've been told that elite swimmers kick on their sides on the push-off because that way you don't get waves reflected from the bottom of the pool. The idea is that in shallow pools, a wave from a dolphin kick gets bounced off the bottom back up to the swimmer, slowing them down. In deep pools, I don't see how this would matter. It's hard for me to see how it would matter even in shallow pools, but then again I'm not at Natalie's level.
