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
Former Member
Thanks for the advice Redbird and Aqualung. Some good food for thought. Learning how to relax in the water is definitely high on my list of priorities. The other day one of the lifeguards at the pool said to me that if I relaxed more I would swim faster. I have been thinking about this a lot lately.
I also like the advice of keeping my face pointing in the same direction as my belly button. That gives me something to focus on. It is exactly this kind of advice I am seeking as I am self coached and swim on my own and very rarely receive unsolicited advice.
Syd
Pwolf & Funky -
Thanks for the feedback. It's along the lines of what I've always believed.
Syd -
My word of advice is "relax" on that sprint. Why lock your head and shoulders/hips? It is completely unnatural to the whole idea of the long-axis nature of freestyle, eliminates a lot of leverage in the pull, and works against your streamlining.
Keep the roll, albeit perhaps not as much, and relax your head a bit and let it feel more natural to you. I think that may help keep your hips/legs down a bit and give you more bite in the water back there.
