Here is one of the most inefficient things taught or not focused on when learning to swim. When coaching I usually watch some of the swim lessons going on. Here is what I hear and see…”Kick, kick, kick, kick”. That’s all is said. In reality you don’t want to just kick like kicking a soccer ball (without any other kicking reference what do we know otherwise?). When you kick, your legs should be straight, feet pointed, and toes relaxed. Your legs should be springy and visualize them being connected into the body not just at the hips. Also, when you kick it shouldn’t just be with one side of your leg. You are missing a huge piece of propulsion and not using the strongest muscles in the body. Kick with both sides of your legs, up and down. Also, feel the water all around you legs and try to make it thicker feeling. When kicking the rhythm should always be even. Don’t let a larger kick slip into the rhythm. Keep the kick small and fast.
Give it a try and let me know what you think!
-Coach Ty http://swimworkoutsonline.com
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Former Member
What you say makes a lot of sense to me these days especially in backstroke. It's important to feel the legs and the torso are a whole, so that the kicking will bring balanced movements of the whole body, like a log. I have found that a good way to "feel the water" and keep even rhythm is to have my eyes closed.
What you say makes a lot of sense to me these days especially in backstroke. It's important to feel the legs and the torso are a whole, so that the kicking will bring balanced movements of the whole body, like a log. I have found that a good way to "feel the water" and keep even rhythm is to have my eyes closed.
