Hello, I'm new here.
I'm 59 and getting back into swimming. I've always had a poor kick. Right now some times are as follows - 25 yd pool, start in water.
100 free 1:20,
100 free, pull only with pull buoy 1:25
50 yd kick with kick board 2:30
I've read on improving my kick and I know several things to work on like ankle flexibility. I'm not really looking for advice (although I'll happily accept it), just an idea if this is really as bad as I think or if it is more common that I think. Do those times look like a REALLY BAD kick? Is it common to get almost no help from your kick?
Thanks,
bw
Parents
Former Member
Thank you all for your replies. They are very helpful and I will try some of the advice. Since I'm not out to be competitive, I really appreciate Jim's take - BUT I do want to improve.
To answer a few questions. No, I'm not doing the tombstone - my times just look that way - and yes, it is an all out 50 yd kick at 2:30.
I do believe I only get power on the down kick with nothing on the up kick. I'll find some drills to work on that. Seems like it would have a lot to do with ankle flexibility. Speaking of which - if I'm lying down and point my toes out as much as possible, the angle between the floor and my feet would be somewhat greater than 45 degrees; pulling my toes back as far as possible would be a little past perpendicular (90*). So a range of motion not much more than 45*. I'm sure that is bad, but is it REALLY bad?
Lastly, I appreciate the workouts i.e. 12 x 25 on :45 - but that is tough when the best 25 I can do is more than 1:00 (remember this is pathetic).
but 12 x 25 at my best pace can be done and hopefully I will be able to do the :45 in the future - as Jim says; I've got 40 years to practice.
Again, thanks to all of you for taking the time to help and advise. Maybe I can post back in a few months with great improvement.
Regards,
bw
Thank you all for your replies. They are very helpful and I will try some of the advice. Since I'm not out to be competitive, I really appreciate Jim's take - BUT I do want to improve.
To answer a few questions. No, I'm not doing the tombstone - my times just look that way - and yes, it is an all out 50 yd kick at 2:30.
I do believe I only get power on the down kick with nothing on the up kick. I'll find some drills to work on that. Seems like it would have a lot to do with ankle flexibility. Speaking of which - if I'm lying down and point my toes out as much as possible, the angle between the floor and my feet would be somewhat greater than 45 degrees; pulling my toes back as far as possible would be a little past perpendicular (90*). So a range of motion not much more than 45*. I'm sure that is bad, but is it REALLY bad?
Lastly, I appreciate the workouts i.e. 12 x 25 on :45 - but that is tough when the best 25 I can do is more than 1:00 (remember this is pathetic).
but 12 x 25 at my best pace can be done and hopefully I will be able to do the :45 in the future - as Jim says; I've got 40 years to practice.
Again, thanks to all of you for taking the time to help and advise. Maybe I can post back in a few months with great improvement.
Regards,
bw
