HOW MANY KICKS...?

it's different for each swimmer each swimmer needs to: 1) train to make their SDK as fast as possible (unless they determine that it's hopeless and not worth the effort) and 2) identify the ideal # of kicks off each wall in each race the number of SDK's a swimmer takes depends upon: 1) how fast the swimmers SDK is relative to their free, fly and back also how fast the swimmers SDK is at various distances 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, & 14meters (left off 15 don't cut it too close) and how many kicks it takes to get to that point. swimmers should know how fast they are a. off starts and b. from a turn Swimmers should know how fast they are when they are a. fresh / unfatigued and b. fatigued, even at various points of fatigue 100: 1st turn, 2nd turn, & 3rd turn 200: 1st - 7th turn Swimmers need to experiment identify their breakout points for each stroke and race They should do several fast timed 25s changing the SDK count do this over several weeks I swim free, fly and bk my free and fly is faster than my SDK My SDK is faster than my back 2) Swimmers also need to know how well they've trained their SDK for speed and speed endurance SDK-ing is most difficult in longer events there's the speed / need for air / fatigue tradeoff 3) how committed and determined the swimmer is to stick with his SDK counts in his race Again it's something each swimmer has to figure out and train better questions might be How many SDK's have you taken in the following events? How many would you like to take? Why? for each race you listed mine are or what I'd like mine to be are -50 free: 6 - 8 -100 free: 5 - 7 -200 free: 4 -500 free (short): 2 - 4 then 5 - 6 off the last turn -400 free (long): 2 - 4 then 5 - 6 off the last turn -50 fly: 8 - 10 -100 fly: 6 - 8 -200 fly: (i never swim this race) -50 back 12 -100 back: 10 -200 back: 5 I wonder how many DOLPHIN KICKS after touching the wall is the average on each event I know... short and long course are different....just specify -50 free: -100 free: -200 free: -500 free (short): -400 free (long): -50 fly: -100 fly: -200 fly: -100 back: -200 back: ------------------- I don't really count, but I will begin doing it.... For the 50 free (short)...1 dolphin kick, 200 free 2, 100 fly between 3-5, I don't know the others....YET

I think you will find that it is a very personal thing...there are swimmers that have the ability to kick 15m underwater for a 100 (Crocker) and there are swimmers that take no SDK's and break national records Cielo from Auburn going 18+ in the 50. Like all things swimming there are some great theories but not everyone can make them work because of various physiological (someone with poor ankle flexibility may not be able to do any effective sdk's) or psychological reasons (some people are simply uncomfortable with it). Play around and try everything and don't get so stuck into what you should be doing vs. what you can do functionally very well....than practice-perfect.

We use the Hillmen breakout chart to measure the effectiveness of our swimmers kick/breakouts. The chart measures feet/time and gives a quotient or number comparing your's to great swimmers. Simply counting the number of kicks isn't going to tell you if you're efficient/effective. You'll need to have someone time you to see what kind of kick and how far you to kick to find the most efficient method. It is indeed individual and important to find out what works best for you. Good luck, Coach T.