Originally posted by Paul Smith
Here's the deal folks...forget about weights...if you REALLY want to make a significant break through in your swimming relative to competition stop swimming for 4-8 weeks and go to kick only workouts...as you ease back into swimming you will have the opportunity to "learn" how to integrate a new and powerful element to your stroke...something that 90% of the swimmers I see competing do not do well....
This really caught my attention. I seem to have been hearing this a lot lately: people coming back after a shoulder op, doing kick only workouts and then having their best seasons ever.
I don't doubt the authenticity of it either. I am just interested on what is actually going on. Why should this be the case?
Has anyone ever scientifically measured the amount the kick contributes to forward propulsion? I mean ratio wise, compared to the arms, what would it be? 80% arms : 20% legs?
What about the swimmers who are great kickers in workouts but can't translate it into faster swimming?
How do we actually integrate the kick into our swimming so that it becomes a new and powerful element to our stroke as Paul suggests?
Would it be fair to say that a big part of the improvement these (post op/ focus on kicking )swimmers achieve can be attributed to the strengthened core which is a result of the additional kicking. In other words more credit given to the strengthened core than increased forward propulsion.
I don't know. I just throw out these ideas for discussion.
Syd
Parents
Former Member
A simple solution to see whether using SDK's is an advantage or disadvantage for anyone (in a shorter race) is to have yourself timed to 15 meters going off the blocks with full rest numerous times on numerous different days. Make sure the timer is being consistent. Compare times to the 15 meter mark with no kicks, 2 kicks, 4 kicks, etc., etc.
40-50 efforts over a two week period should give you a pretty good idea of what your ideal SDK amount would be. You can also do this off turns starting the watch on the feet.
For me the "sweet spot" is 4 kicks on free and 5 on fly. For some reason the extra one on fly helps me avoid the dreaded arms under water breakout.
Is this Rich Abrahams, as in THE Richard Abrahams? IF it is, let me say, it is an honor to meet you!!
A simple solution to see whether using SDK's is an advantage or disadvantage for anyone (in a shorter race) is to have yourself timed to 15 meters going off the blocks with full rest numerous times on numerous different days. Make sure the timer is being consistent. Compare times to the 15 meter mark with no kicks, 2 kicks, 4 kicks, etc., etc.
40-50 efforts over a two week period should give you a pretty good idea of what your ideal SDK amount would be. You can also do this off turns starting the watch on the feet.
For me the "sweet spot" is 4 kicks on free and 5 on fly. For some reason the extra one on fly helps me avoid the dreaded arms under water breakout.
Is this Rich Abrahams, as in THE Richard Abrahams? IF it is, let me say, it is an honor to meet you!!
