Kick Techniques

RE: Kick Techniques

Former Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:59:43 GMT

Is it possible that I am using a 2,4, or 6 beat kick without even knowing it? Yes, but it is very likely you are 2 beat kicking and very unlikely you are 6 beat kicking. My left kick is much weaker than my right kick when I just let my legs do what comes naturally. If you have a dominate leg, or kick to compensate for breathing, it might not be obvious that the other leg is kicking too. Pick the leg you can tell is kicking, count the number of times it kicks during a stroke cycle, and multiple by two. If you feet kick each other once during each cycle, you have a cross over kick, otherwise you have a normal 2, 4 or 6 beat kick. It is likely that you only have a 6 beat kick during a sprint. If you naturally have a 6 beat kick without having to think about it, great, but I have never heard of that.

RE: Kick Techniques

__steve__ — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:22:52 GMT

If your kicking a 2-beat you will know it. Right leg kicks down as right hand finishes the stroke, and vise versa.

RE: Kick Techniques

Former Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:01:27 GMT

I'm a "borderline" two beat kicker (more comfy at using a 4beat pattern). I don't know if it's the result of being border line but for me, 2beat kick is still kicking. Matter of fact, each of my 2 beat kick is very powerful. When carefully timed with the rest of the stroke this kicking pattern works. It's impossible for me to just feel like letting them drag almost inactive whilst expecting them to stay at the surface.

RE: Kick Techniques

Former Member — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:56:02 GMT

Is it possible that I am using a 2,4, or 6 beat kick without even knowing it? My kick seems to usually consist of mostly dragging my feet with sporadic weak kicks unless I am sprinting and then I pick it up significantly. Also in fly I can't feel much of a 2nd kick. Yet if I try to emphasize this it just gets my rythem all messed up.

RE: Kick Techniques

Former Member — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:10:31 GMT

Two beat for long distance and six beat for short distance And 4beat seems to be a fair compromise for several distance swimmers including Grant Hackett. I feel forced to try to kick again with my other leg straight after the first so it goes to a 4 beat. A 4beat kicking pattern usually involves givin 3 kicks when you breathe, and only 1 after breathing (given that you breathe every 2).

RE: Kick Techniques

joshua — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:00:24 GMT

Ankle flexibility is indeed a major component of an effective kick. I am constantly striving for a better foot point position. I sit on my heels with the feet in the point position. I also find that kicking with long fins loosens up my ankles. I remember that a number of years ago Marty Hull sold a device that improved ankle flexibility. Haven't seen it advertised for awhile.

RE: Kick Techniques

__steve__ — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 07:48:36 GMT

This thread to help your 6 beat: Help My Flutter Kick is Horrible! - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums

RE: Kick Techniques

Former Member — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 06:47:06 GMT

Two beat for long distance and six beat for short distance (

RE: Kick Techniques

Former Member — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:57:07 GMT

The basics are pretty easy. A 2 beat kick is kicking twice per stroke cycle and a six beat kick is kicking 6 times per stroke cycle. The 2 beat kick is pretty much not kicking. Your feet are just kicking enough to keep you balanced. The six beat kick is much more tiring, but hopefully aids propulsion. Does that help?

RE: Kick Techniques

Former Member — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:19:47 GMT

I just did a session earlier and tried to do a two beat kick with little success. I feel forced to try to kick again with my other leg straight after the first so it goes to a 4 beat. When I was doing just two beat they seemed to sink a bit. I've got a lot of ankle flexibility. Any suggestions on drills I can try or something?

RE: Kick Techniques

Former Member — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:04:59 GMT

Propulsion from a kick is a lot more difficult than a swimmer usually thinks. Most of the swimmers I measure have about a 40 to 45 degree angle when the foot is on he floor (measuring with a protractor at the top of the foot). So most distance swimmers would actually help themselves (in my opinion) by using a two beat kick (not kicking) and dragging their feet close together and close to the surface of the water. By using a two beat kick in a long open water swim (800yds to two miles) you can conserve a lot more energy too. If you have great ankle flexibility, the more you can use your kick, the better. It's your call but you'd better know if your kick is a help or a hinderance. Good Luck, Coach T.