I am fast when it comes to fins-- I am faster than anyone in my lane, and can easily keep up with everyone in the next faster lane, both from a speed and endurance perspective. Unfortunately, when it comes to kicking without fins (with a board), I am sloooooooow and I peter out easily. It's so odd to me because it would seem that even though fins are faster, you should be able to keep up with the same people when not wearing fins as you do when wearing fins (if that makes sense). What does this mean? I would appreciate any insight.
P.S.-- I will check out Ande's "Help My Flutter Kick is Terrible" tips as well-- just trying to figure out what my problem could be.
To work on ankle flexibility, I have been holding my legs still and making circles (both clockwise and counterclockwise) with my feet, moving only at the ankle, for several years as part of my daily stretching routine. An alternative to circles is to make the "A B C's" with your foot (doesn't matter upper- or lower-case). This one is used a lot with ankle sprains.
I think I was already decently flexible in the ankle department, but my kick has gotten considerably better the last several years. This has also had a nifty side benefit as well: I tend to roll my ankle almost every time I step onto the basketball court (all those cuts to the basket, you know), and since I have started incorporating these exercises into my daily routine, if there is any pain from the roll, it lasts just a few minutes and the swelling is non-existent.
To work on ankle flexibility, I have been holding my legs still and making circles (both clockwise and counterclockwise) with my feet, moving only at the ankle, for several years as part of my daily stretching routine. An alternative to circles is to make the "A B C's" with your foot (doesn't matter upper- or lower-case). This one is used a lot with ankle sprains.
I think I was already decently flexible in the ankle department, but my kick has gotten considerably better the last several years. This has also had a nifty side benefit as well: I tend to roll my ankle almost every time I step onto the basketball court (all those cuts to the basket, you know), and since I have started incorporating these exercises into my daily routine, if there is any pain from the roll, it lasts just a few minutes and the swelling is non-existent.
