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
Former Member
Grandfather 4 times over. I'm developing the two oldest (12 and 7) to be my next generation dryland training partners!
Paul touches on this in his talking of "play" in the water and "there are no rules".
Playing more and getting more feel of what works or doesn't work is useful.
This is why kids do so well - they learn instinctively, by feel. Too many masters put themselves in a straight-jacket and swim "by the book".
Nevertheless, I tried 2 & 4 beat and after trying, scrapped it - you're right. (but I'll do some if the coach assigns it - just for kicks......)
Ian
I would die of boredom if I didn't experiment and change things up.
Definitely going to experiment with some side kicking off my backstroke turns and add more on my free turns. I think this will help me do more freestyle in practice too. I tend to avoid it a bit.
Ian: Did a 50 free in SCM this year so you couldn't make fun of me!
That's good stuff. Now start writing your autobiography so Jonathan can sell it to Hollywood! lol
Good to see you edited your comments... Although I'm wondering who you were talking about in your previous remarks...
Was it Steven Spielburg? Anyone know that story? It's interesting how he actually started his career...
Grandfather 4 times over. I'm developing the two oldest (12 and 7) to be my next generation dryland training partners!
Right on! Richard, I would like to write an autobiography for you, actually. It would be good to have a professional photographer take some pictures as well... www.poetryofmotion.com
DING DING DING!!! Richard Abrahams... The GRANDFATHER of Masters swimming... 24.9 SCM for 50 free at the young age of 60...
Three times the age of many respectable swimmers, Rich has earned the title for sure, yes sir, you ARE my HERO!
I've been exuberant over athletic performances in the past, but this my friends causes me to pause in dumbfounded wonderment.
Koff, koff, gag....
Where's the "vomit smiley" when you need one?
ML
Why would a sprinter want to work on 2 or 4 beat kicking?
Paul touches on this in his talking of "play" in the water and "there are no rules".
Playing more and getting more feel of what works or doesn't work is useful.
This is why kids do so well - they learn instinctively, by feel. Too many masters put themselves in a straight-jacket and swim "by the book".
Nevertheless, I tried 2 & 4 beat and after trying, scrapped it - you're right. (but I'll do some if the coach assigns it - just for kicks......)
Ian
Ian: Did a 50 free in SCM this year so you couldn't make fun of me!
Hey, I see that in "Current Top Times" - another top ten, for sure. No more making fun you. Congrats!
Ian.
Richard Abrahams... The GRANDFATHER of Masters swimming... I’m not sure of June Krauser (the mother of Masters Swimming) or Ransom Arthur (the father of Masters Swimming) would cotton to having a young whippersnapper like Rich as a grandfather.
But back to the question; How much does a good kick contribute? Answer: A lot if done properly.
Swam with Tiffany in Boulder this morning, she had a great set that she told me about which I adapted a bit...Fort this is all you baby!:
In a 25yd pool 100's as follows
- Push off on the opposite side of the starting blocks, kick 7-11 SDK's surfacing into cruise free with a strong 6 beat (overkick)
- at the first wall finish hands first and go immediately into a 10 second all out kick against the wall.
- Stop, then grab the backstroke start bar and go into a back start, 7-9 SDK's then cruise backstroke with a strong 6 beat kick (overkick)...race finish touch on the opposite wall
- immediately start 3rd 25 doing forward "V" scull (on your back, feet out of the water looking toward the opposite side sculling)
- At the final wall when your feet touch pull into the wall then explode with as many SDK's back as you can go before taking a breath then easy free to wall.
Recover, repeat, vomit....
