As a sprint butterflyer, until recently I never questioned the sort of underwater dolphin kicks I should do: as fast as physically possible, then pop up and go at it hammer and tongs.
At my LC Zone Championships I tried something different. I was still dealing with the effects of a virus that severely inhibited my taper period. All my times were quite slow, so with nothing to lose I decided to try an experiment. In my 50 meter butterfly, instead of my usual frantic underwater dolphin, I made the kicks slower and more deliberate, stayed underwater longer, and then kept my stroke fast but under control.
The result was a time that, while slow, was significantly better than my other times this meet. It was about 2% off my normal times, but my other races were 4-6% slower. It is clear, as a knowledgable butterflyer suggested, that I was probably "slipping" and failing to grab water with my superfast kicks and stroke. By slowing my kicks and my stroke slightly, I "grabbed" more water and moved faster.
I wonder if anyone else can offer an opinion on dolphin kicks and sprinting? It is clear that everyone must find what is best for them - it may be that a slightly slower, more deliberate underwater dolphin coupled with a controlled stoke is best for me. This may not be the best for you. Any thoughts?
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Not many have the equipment that Phelps has so why would any begginer try to emulate what he does if they cannot do it.
Great advice if a race is 15 yards in a 25 yard pool. The underwater portion is up to 15 yards. Then what are you going to do to breathe??? in a fifty meter pool in a 100 or 200. I think some explanations here are not what most need. { too like the slow deliberate undulations that is for the 15 meters underwater the chang to think of shoulders and head is after you pop out to actually recover on the surface.
Not many have the equipment that Phelps has so why would any begginer try to emulate what he does if they cannot do it.
Great advice if a race is 15 yards in a 25 yard pool. The underwater portion is up to 15 yards. Then what are you going to do to breathe??? in a fifty meter pool in a 100 or 200. I think some explanations here are not what most need. { too like the slow deliberate undulations that is for the 15 meters underwater the chang to think of shoulders and head is after you pop out to actually recover on the surface.
