The Kicking Lane

RE: The Kicking Lane

gigi — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 07:05:18 GMT

I am a huge fan of the Finis Shooter monofin. It's fabulous for dolphin kicking and fly/*** drills. I also have the Finis competition length monofin. For me, it seems too long to use in a short course pool, and it puts relatively more pressure on your back. I've tried the New Finis Foil monofin, but am returning it. It's really floppy and nothing more than two regular fins stuck together. But it may be more gentle on the ankles as a result. No idea about use in the ocean though. But it sounds fun! I'm a more "middle of the road" swimmer than Fortress and my experience is exactly the opposite. I have a Finis Shooter and I use it occasionally, but it's always a ghastly experience. I always feel like my feet are going to snap off at my ankles - it's possible that that's because the shoe is slightly too small despite my using the size guide on the site (my advice if you go this route? If you're between sizes, size up). I dooooo love it for *** drills and the occasional shooters, but I can't use it for very long. I got the yellow FOil Monofin in December and I use it a lot more often - it's way more forgiving and the way the foot pockets are angled with the heels out mimics a more natural foot alignment - at least for me. It's a lot more forgiving and less stressful on my knees/ankles. The Shooter is way better for fly and *** drills bec it's so stiff & it's more of a "serious" piece of equipment, but if you want to use your monofin outside as well as in the pool, I'd go with the Foil. Happy finning!

RE: The Kicking Lane

ande — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:42:37 GMT

swimswam.com/.../

RE: The Kicking Lane

osterber — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 09:43:11 GMT

What people forget is that you can take just about any regular swimming set, and turn it into a kicking set. You just change the intervals. Most people don't work kicking sets nearly as hard as they would a swimming set. A good aerobic kicking set should get your heartrate up, and make you tired. Kick sets are not social hour. I almost did the hour swim as all kick this year. Goal would have been 4000 yards. (That's holding 1:30 per 100.) Perhaps next year. -Rick

RE: The Kicking Lane

The Fortress — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 09:27:35 GMT

I am looking to add to my current kick training with a monofin. Before I purchase one I would love to read opinions about the different models/styles from users. Anyone? I would love to use it in a pool and in the ocean! I am a huge fan of the Finis Shooter monofin. It's fabulous for dolphin kicking and fly/*** drills. I also have the Finis competition length monofin. For me, it seems too long to use in a short course pool, and it puts relatively more pressure on your back. I've tried the New Finis Foil monofin, but am returning it. It's really floppy and nothing more than two regular fins stuck together. But it may be more gentle on the ankles as a result. No idea about use in the ocean though. But it sounds fun!

RE: The Kicking Lane

jaadams1 — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 09:09:12 GMT

I am looking to add to my current kick training with a monofin. Before I purchase one I would love to read opinions about the different models/styles from users. Anyone? I would love to use it in a pool and in the ocean! Be careful with a monofin in the ocean!! You might get mistaken for a dolphin, and even worse...end up in a can of tuna!!! :afraid:

RE: The Kicking Lane

Former Member — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 08:55:26 GMT

What people forget is that you can take just about any regular swimming set, and turn it into a kicking set. You just change the intervals. Most people don't work kicking sets nearly as hard as they would a swimming set. A good aerobic kicking set should get your heartrate up, and make you tired. Kick sets are not social hour. Good point. I'll do some sets where I have fast kicking mixed with fast swimming WITH and overkick to place more emphasis on kick. Today I did the 10 x 50 @ :60 kick with fins, hold under :30...l felt it...especially after running yesterday.

RE: The Kicking Lane

mcountryman — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 08:01:37 GMT

Jeff, thanks for the ideas. Since I train alone, I always appreciate any input for my workouts. I know that I need to work on my leg strength, especially to swim fly. I generally do kick sets towards the end of my workout as well. Your suggestions sound like a good starting point for me.

RE: The Kicking Lane

kmoehumphreys — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:20:28 GMT

RE: The Kicking Lane

Former Member — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:39:07 GMT

You could add this too. I don't do these now, but did in HS/College: -Vertical Kick with a variety of additions (weights, hands out of water, hands above head, etc) -Kicking with old shoes on -Kicking/swimming while straped to surgical tubing to blocks/anchor -Kicking/swimming while straped to weighted baskets or weights If you swim in a location with a USS team see what their elite team is doing for more ideas. Basically you are trying to improve strength while also improving oxygen efficiency in the legs. The more you can hold technique while REALLY feeling the burn the better you get! Its as mentally as it is physical!

RE: The Kicking Lane

orca1946 — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:38:55 GMT

I have an ongoing hip replacement problem that makes my rt leg weaker than the left. KIcking up in back stroke os the hardest to do for me.

RE: The Kicking Lane

ande — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 10:46:49 GMT

Wonderful to hear from everyone let's become faster kickers I added some questions to the first post in this thread please respond nice list lump! 1. Kick wearing a snorkel (restricting air) 2. Streamline boards and fins 3. Underwater 25's (SDK or just streamline) with and without fins 4. Quality sets (all out 50's, 100's with lots of rest) 5. Descending kick sets (dropping interval after each distance) 6. Running / jogging 7. Other leg drylands (weights) 8. Core exercises Here's some comments & additions 1. Kick wearing a snorkel (restricting air) (Garrett Weber Gale uses his in practice) 2. Streamline boards and fins 3. Underwater 25's (SDK or just streamline) with and without fins, FAST with REST, timed stuff 4. Quality sets (all out 50's, 100's with lots of rest) my fave, these hurt 5. Descending kick sets (dropping interval after each distance) 6. Running / jogging (not so sure if running is necessary) 7. Other leg drylands (weights) 8. Core exercises 9. Daily FOOT & ANKLE Stretching

RE: The Kicking Lane

Former Member — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 10:33:30 GMT

After how I felt like my legs failed me at my last meet I've been a little more careful to pay attention to them. Marianne, I maybe use my fins 2-3 times a week at most (based on a 5-day swim routine). I usually use them either at the end of practice doing UW 25's, fast swimming 25's/50's, or FAST kicking. But I always try to do "some" kicking every practice, sometimes its emphasized more, sometimes less (same with pulling, drills). Here are a couple sets, the first one I did yesterday: 16 x 25 @ :30 with fins -SDK = Streamline Dolphin Kick (I do on back since I'm a backstroker) 4 kick UW SDK w/ nose clip, 4 Swim IM order FAST, 3 Kick UW SDK w/ nose clip, 3 choice FAST 10-12 x 50 @ :50 Kick w/ fins & board -Try to hold :30 These sets are towards the end of practice or the last set, so you'll FEEL THE BURN! :D

RE: The Kicking Lane

The Fortress — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:32:09 GMT

nice list lump! 1. Kick wearing a snorkel (restricting air) 2. Streamline boards and fins 3. Underwater 25's (SDK or just streamline) with and without fins 4. Quality sets (all out 50's, 100's with lots of rest) 5. Descending kick sets (dropping interval after each distance) 6. Running / jogging 7. Other leg drylands (weights) 8. Core exercises Here's some comments & additions 1. Kick wearing a snorkel (restricting air) (Garrett Weber Gale uses his in practice) 2. Streamline boards and fins 3. Underwater 25's (SDK or just streamline) with and without fins, FAST with REST, timed stuff 4. Quality sets (all out 50's, 100's with lots of rest) my fave, these hurt 5. Descending kick sets (dropping interval after each distance) 6. Running / jogging (not so sure if running is necessary) 7. Other leg drylands (weights) 8. Core exercises 9. Daily FOOT & ANKLE Stretching That is a great list! But why not mix it up and have fun too. I like to do: -- standing broad jump into the pool + eggbeater kick to the other end -- in a deep pool, dolphin kick to the bottom of the pool to the 12.5 yard point with a kickboard, jump squat off the bottom and sprint to the end -- in a deep pool, do "25s" where you dolphin kick to the bottom, squat jump off the bottom in a streamline position, dolphin kick as fast and high as you can -- kick with fins (better with a snorkle) with one leg at a 90 degree angle at the knee -- combine fast swimming and hypoxic kicking, e.g. fast 25 + fast UW shooter -- plyometrics to build explosive leg strength (box jumps will help you fly off the blocks and kick fast) -- don't just do 25 shooters, do 50s+ -- use a monofin for speed work I just went over 33,000 yards kicking since Jan. 1 according to my FLOG (and I'm a low yardage sprinter). My legs can't wait to taper soon!

RE: The Kicking Lane

mcountryman — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 01:45:22 GMT

Just ordered my first pair of fins. What type of sets and what percentage of my kick sets would you recommend using them to get the most benefit?

RE: The Kicking Lane

Former Member — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:31:01 GMT

Some of my kicking tips: 1. Kick wearing a snorkel (restricting air) 2. Streamline boards and fins 3. Underwater 25's (SDK or just streamline) with and without fins 4. Quality sets (all out 50's, 100's with lots of rest) 5. Descending kick sets (dropping interval after each distance) 6. Running/jogging 7. Other leg drylands 8. Core exercises

RE: The Kicking Lane

KEWebb18 — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:33:57 GMT

I'm here to kick for at least a few weeks. We will see how working on my kick helps me recover from my shoulder injury. I'm already a fairly decent kicker (with and without zoomers) but I can always find room for improvement :)

RE: The Kicking Lane

Former Member — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:32:14 GMT

Hi, my name's C, I'm a lazy kicker and I'm here to finally get help.

RE: The Kicking Lane

swoomer — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 06:40:21 GMT

I'm a sprinter with a terrible kick and I do pretty well. If I had a kick, I'd be a lot faster. In my case it is about technique, not conditioning. I kick hard and go nowhere fast. I might get some answers here! The bad news is that I'm a better breaststroker, so that may be part of the problem.