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.
This will give you more of a "snap" at the end of each kick.
Oh, snap! I see you got some courage after stalking all the CZ women. I think you should only dole out advice on how to tuck your belly hair into your coveralls, Furdumper!
Oh, snap! I see you got some courage after stalking all the CZ women. I think you should only dole out advice on how to tuck your belly hair into your coveralls, Furdumper!
As a stalkee, though, I have to say Wookiee is right!
I am a semi professional kicker by masters standards. But I'm out kicking most folks with and without fins. So I think Salty needs some ankle flexibility. Have you tried J Miller's ankle stretching exercises, Salty? If you're kicking a fair amount with fins that should actually help your flexibility too.
It means you are a crappy kicker. I know this to be the correct answer because I have the same issue.
Just one of many things are you are crappy at doing.
Your ankles are probably a bit stiff or you are doing a lot of kicking from your knees. The fins allow you to compensate by having a more flexible foot and a longer leg to move up and down.
Your kick should involve the whole leg, with what will feel like very little to no bend in your knees. That doesn't mean you knees don't have a slight bend, but you shouldn't feel as though you are kicking from your knees with a large "thump"
Plus, work on your ankle's range of movement. This will give you more of a "snap" at the end of each kick.
Now, back to insulting casper, your less than friendly wanna be sprinter with only fast mucscles are in his butt when tall paul is around.
Your ankles are probably a bit stiff or you are doing a lot of kicking from your knees. The fins allow you to compensate by having a more flexible foot and a longer leg to move up and down.
This makes PERFECT sense. My ankles have never been very flexible, and my legs are not very long. Thanks! Now that I know what the problem is, I can work on getting better.
Take that you washed-up, prune faced, pig chasing, cousin marryin, cow kissin, race walker.
Have you switched your zone affiliation to CZ yet, traitor!
Have you switched your zone affiliation to CZ yet, traitor!
Nope, like u, I am still an inbreed country bumpkin. Heck, I even showed-up for urz state champiooonship swimmin meet. Ya didn't even have the gumpsion to show up and take a proper beatin.
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.
Jeff...I have the exact same problem. Granted, I do suck at playing basketball, but by doing similar things with my ankles, I don't have long pain or any swelling...just a curse of years of swimming.
