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
an ideal toe point should be 180 degrees from the shin
like this gymnast or this swimmer
toes should be pointed without forcing them to point
www.clevelandleader.com/.../michael-phelps-marfans.JPG
when you're standing your foot is 90 degrees to your shin
fast kickers pointing their toes/feet to 180 degrees or more
swimmers turn their feet inward create an even better angle.
watch phelps feet in this video
YouTube - Michael Phelps turn
if you can point your toes
you'd probably kick faster on your back
kicking with fins will help you too.
Thanks Andre, I was just reading the "Help my flutter kick is horrible" and the progress that many have made are very encouraging. I start on it immediately.
Unfortunately, I'm in Memphis or I would love to have you look at my kick. We don't have too much going on here with Masters swimming, so I don't have a coach to watch me.
One quick question on ankle flexibility - do you have any idea what the average range of motion is? i.e. angle change from toe pointed to toes pulled back. I haven't used a protractor, but guessing, I'm around 50 - 55 degrees and I suspect that is really inflexible, but I would like some reference to understand where I am. I'm rather analytical as you may have guessed.
Thanks again.
an ideal toe point should be 180 degrees from the shin
like this gymnast or this swimmer
toes should be pointed without forcing them to point
www.clevelandleader.com/.../michael-phelps-marfans.JPG
when you're standing your foot is 90 degrees to your shin
fast kickers pointing their toes/feet to 180 degrees or more
swimmers turn their feet inward create an even better angle.
watch phelps feet in this video
YouTube - Michael Phelps turn
if you can point your toes
you'd probably kick faster on your back
kicking with fins will help you too.
Thanks Andre, I was just reading the "Help my flutter kick is horrible" and the progress that many have made are very encouraging. I start on it immediately.
Unfortunately, I'm in Memphis or I would love to have you look at my kick. We don't have too much going on here with Masters swimming, so I don't have a coach to watch me.
One quick question on ankle flexibility - do you have any idea what the average range of motion is? i.e. angle change from toe pointed to toes pulled back. I haven't used a protractor, but guessing, I'm around 50 - 55 degrees and I suspect that is really inflexible, but I would like some reference to understand where I am. I'm rather analytical as you may have guessed.
Thanks again.
