I've noticed that when I kick on my back I really move...when I kick on my stomach it's not as fast. I wouldn't mind so much but I can only do so much backstroke due to an old rotator cuff injury. So...other than kicking (because I am getting really frustrated) what can I do to get my freestyle flutter more effective? Any dryland? I notice that there is rarely any "whitewater" when I kick, even when I feel like I'm kicking hard. I do see "boiling" though. If that even makes sense...Thanks:)
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Former Member
Bob,
You need to kick down, as if you were kicking a soccer ball, pointing the toes and with the toes of opposite feet pointed slightly toward each other (pigeontoed). Relax and bend your knees to generate a whipping motion as you kick down. On the recovery (feet and legs coming back toward the surface of the water), relax your ankles and let your feet come back to the surface without trying to create any propulsion. Once you feel your heels reach the surface of the water, repeat the kick.
I found this in another thread and I think it answers the pointing toe question I asked a few posts ago. From what I am gathering, the conscious pointing is on the downward portion of the kick (I have not been "willing" my feet to point at this step of the process - I have been passively letting the water push against my foot)...when kicking up, the foot is allowed to relax a bit. Is this correct? I like the soccer ball analogy...
Bob,
You need to kick down, as if you were kicking a soccer ball, pointing the toes and with the toes of opposite feet pointed slightly toward each other (pigeontoed). Relax and bend your knees to generate a whipping motion as you kick down. On the recovery (feet and legs coming back toward the surface of the water), relax your ankles and let your feet come back to the surface without trying to create any propulsion. Once you feel your heels reach the surface of the water, repeat the kick.
I found this in another thread and I think it answers the pointing toe question I asked a few posts ago. From what I am gathering, the conscious pointing is on the downward portion of the kick (I have not been "willing" my feet to point at this step of the process - I have been passively letting the water push against my foot)...when kicking up, the foot is allowed to relax a bit. Is this correct? I like the soccer ball analogy...
