Hi,
I have major issues with the freestyle swim. My instructor tells me that my body is not streamlined when I do the freestyle. It is apparently bent at my hips and waist. My kick isn't great either -- I'm fine when I start off, but after a while I can feel my kick getting weaker. Infact, while doing kick exercises with a kickboard, I seem to go no where after a while. Things are slightly better on my backstroke, but my legs sink after a while and my body isn't streamlined any more. I should probably also mention that my breaststroke is pretty good.
Any tips you guys may have regarding body position and kicking will be greatly appreciated.
One other thing to be conscious of is your head position. Many beginner swimmers lift their heads and this will cause your legs to drop. You want the water line to hit your forehead and you want this level to be maintained throughout your stroke. In order to do this you can't lift your head when you breathe.
I think your poor kick may be a result of your bad body position rather than a cause of it. You are working your legs trying to lift them closer to the surface rather than using them to propel you forward. Once you get your body position corrected you won't have to kick so hard.
You might want to start out by trying to correct your body position without swimming. Just float face down with your arms in a streamlined position in front of you. Make sure the water is hitting your forward and your spine is as flat as possible. When you need to breathe just turning your head rather than lifting it. It might be helpful to start out using a kickboard or two under your stomach.
One other thing to be conscious of is your head position. Many beginner swimmers lift their heads and this will cause your legs to drop. You want the water line to hit your forehead and you want this level to be maintained throughout your stroke. In order to do this you can't lift your head when you breathe.
I think your poor kick may be a result of your bad body position rather than a cause of it. You are working your legs trying to lift them closer to the surface rather than using them to propel you forward. Once you get your body position corrected you won't have to kick so hard.
You might want to start out by trying to correct your body position without swimming. Just float face down with your arms in a streamlined position in front of you. Make sure the water is hitting your forward and your spine is as flat as possible. When you need to breathe just turning your head rather than lifting it. It might be helpful to start out using a kickboard or two under your stomach.
