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
Well, there should be no more than about 10-20 degree maximum flex at the knee when flutter kicking in freestyle. Any less (i.e locked) and you limit the power provided from the quads and hamstrings and any more (dreaded dropped knee) and you also kill the power from the upper legs AND you cause a lot more drag than desired. That's my take.
Well, there should be no more than about 10-20 degree maximum flex at the knee when flutter kicking in freestyle. Any less (i.e locked) and you limit the power provided from the quads and hamstrings and any more (dreaded dropped knee) and you also kill the power from the upper legs AND you cause a lot more drag than desired. That's my take.
