With the ability to do a dolphin kick now along with the pulldown, what is the proper timing. I have been out of swimming for a while, and when I competed, we couldn't use the dolphin kick at all.
I don't know what the proper timing is of the dolphin kick from the standpoint of maximizing its effect. I believe it has to be completed during or before the pulldown is finished.
There was some discussion here a week or so ago (probably in the "my SDK sucks!" thread) where someone mentioned that it's important to push on the knee flexion as well as the extension part of the kick. This seemed to help me with free and back pullouts (I basically don't do fly - see my avatar). I tried it during a *** pulldown, and I think it results in an illegal kick. If I do it as just extension, then there is a bit of "echo" back toward flexion once my knees are fully extended. No problem, but that echo isn't really propulsive. If I flex then extend I think I can get more power, but there's still that "echo" which would make the SDK illegal. Correct?
Skip
Jordan,
The most popular (note: popular, everyone is slightly different so what works for one might not work for you) is is start the dolphin kick as the hands reach the lower ribcage on the pull.
Paul
I have found it is natural to do the dolphin kick as my hands reach the lower ribcage. It just feels right. But when I think about it, something seems wrong. To do the kick at this time, the streamline is broken, at a time you are going at max speed.
Start by extending at the waist just before the pull down to give extra ROM.Then just let the kick flow as an undulation in time to the arms in the pull down.Maximum thrust is about when arms are at ribcage.
Skip,I'm not sure you are illegal.One downward dolphin kick is allowed,there is no mention of an upward kick in the rules at that point as it could be part of the recovery.
With the ability to do a dolphin kick now along with the pulldown, what is the proper timing. I have been out of swimming for a while, and when I competed, we couldn't use the dolphin kick at all.
Greg, if you have access to back issues of USMS SWIMMER, take a look at the May/June 2007 issue. There's a nice pictorial in there that describes the mechanics and timing of the post-2005 breaststroke pullout, as well as some drills to help improve your pullouts. If you don't have access to any back issues of the magazine, shoot an email to chriscolburn AT usms DOT org and I can provide you with a link to a copy of the article.
about using a dolphin kick on pull out. make it a habit all the time in practice. i started using this a while ago but when i race i noticed if it's a 50 consistently but i am not consistent on 100 br or 4ooim bs leg.
Yes,always do it.Also be sure and practice it on SCY 200 BRs in practice.I find I go farther and there for stay underwater longer.The first couple of meets after the rule change I found myself doing the dreaded"lift your head and gasp"breakout as I wasn't ready for staying underwater longer.
To answer the other question,I don't have numbers,but pretty much everyone agrees it is a little faster.
about using a dolphin kick on pull out. make it a habit all the time in practice. i started using this a while ago but when i race i noticed if it's a 50 consistently but i am not consistent on 100 br or 4ooim bs leg.
It is a pretty natural thing where it is, as the others have said. I start my dolphin kick actually as my hands separate with an upward kick and finish as my hands are right around my rib cage (about the same time Kitajima does his), I've found that this gets me a little farther than placing it with the hands at the ribcage, might be because of the streamline.
Greg, if you have access to back issues of USMS SWIMMER, take a look at the May/June 2007 issue. There's a nice pictorial in there that describes the mechanics and timing of the post-2005 breaststroke pullout, as well as some drills to help improve your pullouts. If you don't have access to any back issues of the magazine, shoot an email to chriscolburn AT usms DOT org and I can provide you with a link to a copy of the article.
I also learned the "old way" and had to adapt, but I was going to refer to this article, as a good photo-story type layout you can follow.
I've found that for me a straight back over the barrel pull, continuing to press the water until I finish with my hands coming together over my groin area as I go into the kick has helped my propulsion.
I'm just an average swimmer, and I don't know you're experience so it may not work best for you. Tinker with it and find your best pattern and timing.
