It is with some trepidation that I start this thread as I expect that many if not most Forumites will approach this issue with initial antagonism to my position in favor of butterfrog as explicated in the "both sides of the lane line" article in the current issue of SWIMMER but I ask Y'all to approach it with an open mind.(I expect antagonism as even my friends refer to my beloved and beautiful breaststroke as"evilstroke so I shudder at the initial reaction to butterfrog.)But look at the argument:George argues against it on historical and aesthetic grounds where as my argument is more practical.As to the aesthetic argument,what is uglier,both to the spectator and the participant than going vertical on butterfly.
George you are a great swimmer and an inspiration,but when is the last time you swam a 200 fly at a meet?
If you are serious about trying this, then I suggest:
1. Read the rules CAREFULLY;
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4. Develop your whip kick style. I used this at a time when I was in poor condition, but wanted to see if I could just finish it. I found it works best to have a really narrow kick and don't bend your knees to bring the feet up as far as in your regular breastroke.
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Think "6 inch baby kicks" and in the recovery portion "lift" your legs "up and out" of the way to avoid up/down drag and side/side drag.
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And last, regarding the debate - I have no position. Whatever the volunteers on the rules committee decide is ok with me! And thanks for doing the heavy lifting for the rest of us!
Thanks Michelle. I have worked some on the thinner, more streamlined whip kick and it works better than my regular breaststroke kick. What I have been trying to do is to figure out how I could use a whip kick in conjunction with dolphin kick in a race. One thing I have tried is putting in one thin whip kick at the time of my initial arm pull from the start and after each turn. My thought was it might help overcome inertia and maybe decrease fatigue because it used different muscle groups. What I found was that the drag outweighed the benefit. Decreasing the size of the kick helps some, but it still does not feel like there is a benefit.
I have also experimented with a whip kick into the wall. I have the same general feeling about it; however I have not tried it that much and I have seen a glimmer of hope for a whip kick when I have not timed my stroke to reach a wall on a full stroke.
I don't think I am ready to try it out in a meet yet, but your idea of talking to the meet official before the race is a good one. I have the same opinion regarding the rule, whatever the committee decides is okay with me.
If you are serious about trying this, then I suggest:
1. Read the rules CAREFULLY;
***
4. Develop your whip kick style. I used this at a time when I was in poor condition, but wanted to see if I could just finish it. I found it works best to have a really narrow kick and don't bend your knees to bring the feet up as far as in your regular breastroke.
***
Think "6 inch baby kicks" and in the recovery portion "lift" your legs "up and out" of the way to avoid up/down drag and side/side drag.
***
And last, regarding the debate - I have no position. Whatever the volunteers on the rules committee decide is ok with me! And thanks for doing the heavy lifting for the rest of us!
Thanks Michelle. I have worked some on the thinner, more streamlined whip kick and it works better than my regular breaststroke kick. What I have been trying to do is to figure out how I could use a whip kick in conjunction with dolphin kick in a race. One thing I have tried is putting in one thin whip kick at the time of my initial arm pull from the start and after each turn. My thought was it might help overcome inertia and maybe decrease fatigue because it used different muscle groups. What I found was that the drag outweighed the benefit. Decreasing the size of the kick helps some, but it still does not feel like there is a benefit.
I have also experimented with a whip kick into the wall. I have the same general feeling about it; however I have not tried it that much and I have seen a glimmer of hope for a whip kick when I have not timed my stroke to reach a wall on a full stroke.
I don't think I am ready to try it out in a meet yet, but your idea of talking to the meet official before the race is a good one. I have the same opinion regarding the rule, whatever the committee decides is okay with me.
