So my daughter is 6 and is swimming on the summer team. She is a very good little breaststroker and has a powerful kick. However she uses a modified version of this kick on her backstroke and freestyle, but it seems to affect the freestyle far more.
I have no idea how many times the coaches say and I say, "keep your legs straight"; "kick up and down from your hips"; "touch your big toes with each other", she STILL does this awful wonky breastroke kick action which slows her down and snakes her across the pool!
So I'm now wondering if she's doing something mega-wrong with her pull and feels she needs to compensate on her kick? She turns and looks at the ceiling to breathe, but I thought that was pretty "normal" at that age, but otherwise it looks reasonable. She is also very competitive in the lane, wanting to catch up with whoever is at the front, so I have said that it slows her down when she bends her legs, but she still persists.
Anyway if any of you more experienced in coaching littlies have any tips, I'd very much appreciate it.
Parents
Former Member
She's 6. As long as she's having fun, does much else matter?
Recovering Near-Psycho Swim Parent
Yeah I keep telling myself that! I watch those legs slowing her down, and the other kids catching her, and think "if only she'd keep her legs straight like the others she'd be well ahead". Then again to watch her beat the 8 yr olds on breaststroke is pretty damn awesome!
I think I really need to get a grip :D
PS we are not getting her into year round USA swimming anytime soon
She's 6. As long as she's having fun, does much else matter?
Recovering Near-Psycho Swim Parent
Yeah I keep telling myself that! I watch those legs slowing her down, and the other kids catching her, and think "if only she'd keep her legs straight like the others she'd be well ahead". Then again to watch her beat the 8 yr olds on breaststroke is pretty damn awesome!
I think I really need to get a grip :D
PS we are not getting her into year round USA swimming anytime soon
