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?
Ande - thank you! When I am well (swimming Zones while sick may have been a mistake) I am going to time myself in 25 yard butterflies with different kick tempos. Hopefully with enough information I can determine what race paradigm suits me best.
Chris - sorry for the confusion. Yes, in my message I was noting both underwater dolphin and full stroke butterfly. I seemed to have success at this meet in widening my underwater dolphin, making it a bit slower (though not slow mind you), and then making my stroke a bit more controlled.
But this requires more study and each person is a little different. As Ande pointed out, Ian Crocker's underwater quicks are short and fast, and he probably has the best underwater dolphin in the world.
try my suggestions in
Help my SDK is horrible
Help My Flutter Kick is Horrible
Ande - thank you! When I am well (swimming Zones while sick may have been a mistake) I am going to time myself in 25 yard butterflies with different kick tempos. Hopefully with enough information I can determine what race paradigm suits me best.
don't know if your SDKs were slower or if they just had more amplitude
Ian Crocker uses a rapid small amplitude SDK
Michael Phelps uses a fluid medium amplitude SDK
Amplitude is determined by body motion degree of knee bend
NO DOUBT
"making your kicks slower and more deliberate, staying underwater longer, and then keeping your stroke fast but under control"
allowed you to split your race better and finish stronger
giving you a better time
if I don't hammer it on fly, my fear is I won't get out fast enough and still won't be able to finish well.
I am planning to dive and push off deeper to take more SDKs off starts and turns in free & fly
Experiment and figure out what works best for you
get timed on 15 meter sprints
I used to have a big amplitude SDK
lately I've been concentrating on smaller faster like IAN
but It's probably still pretty big
I need underwater video of my all out SDK
ande
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?
