Some time before xmas someone, it might have been Chris Stevenson, posted about a workout where they did a kick set with shoes on, reducing the flexibility of the ankle. He commented that his kicking speed was cut in half. I didn't get around to asking but have been wondering if that was literally true? If the difference is that large perhaps I'll start doing ankle stretches when we are assigned kick sets... :D
I've never tried kicking with shoes on, but it seems like the added weight of the shoes would be more of a factor than the reduction in ankle flexibility. Also, if ankle flexibility is such a big factor, why would you do something (i.e., kick with shoes) to decrease this? To me it seems sort of like intentionally dropping your elbow on the catch. Possibly interesting as an experiment, but not very valuable as a training tool.
Well, the shoes float. They soak up water too, so I suppose one is "dragging" more water. But the main reason it decreases speed is that you just don't get much "push" from your feet when you kick. I don't feel them dragging my feet down or anything.
One of the USS coaches uses it for his group, probably about once a week. Since I swim with them every so often, he told me to bring an old pair of sneaks to practice. I'm not entirely sure of the benefits -- maybe to focus more on your hips/legs when you kick? -- but I'm willing to give it a try every so often. I don't see it as a primary training tool. I think vertical kicking is probably more beneficial for training, if one is interested in doing something a little different. (When you swim for decades, you gotta keep from getting bored!)
Or maybe I just like being contrary -- I never use fins, which many love!
I've never tried kicking with shoes on, but it seems like the added weight of the shoes would be more of a factor than the reduction in ankle flexibility. Also, if ankle flexibility is such a big factor, why would you do something (i.e., kick with shoes) to decrease this? To me it seems sort of like intentionally dropping your elbow on the catch. Possibly interesting as an experiment, but not very valuable as a training tool.
Well, the shoes float. They soak up water too, so I suppose one is "dragging" more water. But the main reason it decreases speed is that you just don't get much "push" from your feet when you kick. I don't feel them dragging my feet down or anything.
One of the USS coaches uses it for his group, probably about once a week. Since I swim with them every so often, he told me to bring an old pair of sneaks to practice. I'm not entirely sure of the benefits -- maybe to focus more on your hips/legs when you kick? -- but I'm willing to give it a try every so often. I don't see it as a primary training tool. I think vertical kicking is probably more beneficial for training, if one is interested in doing something a little different. (When you swim for decades, you gotta keep from getting bored!)
Or maybe I just like being contrary -- I never use fins, which many love!
