I once had a terrific boss who taught me a lot not only about work, but life. One thing he taught me and that I've lived by ever since is to constantly ask yourself "Does what I'm doing make sense?"
Applying that question to kicking drills has made me wonder. I have read more than once that (other than in breaststroke) kicking a) is used to maintain your body's position in the water, b) that you derive little or no propulsion from it (other than perhaps when sprinting), c) kicking hard can actually increase your drag and slow you down, and d) kicking hard more than doubles your energy use.
Given those four things, I'd like to know your thoughts (and not just knee-jerk reactions) from both swimmers and coaches, regardless of your experience level:
Does it make sense for us to use a large part of our practice time and energy doing kicking drills?
Do we derive any real benefit from doing so?
Do we do it because it actually helps us be better swimmers (which would make sense), or do we do it because "that's the way it's always been done" (which makes no sense at all).
Keep on strokin'!
Parents
Former Member
I am not a coach, but here is my two cents worth - and that may be all it is worth!:p
When I swim free, I don't kick very hard, unless I am doing a 50 or 100 sprint. Just enough to keep myself as streamlined as possible. I really focus on pressing on my chest to keep me streamlined. Kicking takes a lot of energy and if I kick to hard on longer swims/sets I actually end up with a slower time.
When doing back, I don't think I have very good form. As a result, I kick like crazy to keep streamlined. I can't do back for more than 100 at a time without a quick rest.
My *** kick isn't very strong - at least not as strong as I would like it to be. (Although I may not be getting enough propulsion from my kick due to body position....). I definately need more work here.
I am just starting with fly, so don't have any real base to speak from.
As for doing kick sets - I think they do have value because...
1. They will help to keep ankles loose. This will make the kick more effective - both at giving propulsion and keeping balance - with the sam amount of effort during a swim. I think this is a key reason in favor of doing kick sets.
2. Nothing elevates my heart rate like an all out kick set.
3. I like to do dolphin kick sets - and am beginning to incorporate doing it on my sides and back - because of the work my abs get from it.
4. Kicking on my back seems to help my balance get better for backstroke.
5. Doing an egg-beater set (kicking while bending the knees rather than a proper flutter kick which is bending at the hips) is a great workout for quads. This really helps the breaststroke.
5. Finally, as a skier (snow), I am now working more kicking in for the next couple of months or so to get ready for the skiing season.
Just my thoughts. I would be interested in everyone elses thoughts too.
I am not a coach, but here is my two cents worth - and that may be all it is worth!:p
When I swim free, I don't kick very hard, unless I am doing a 50 or 100 sprint. Just enough to keep myself as streamlined as possible. I really focus on pressing on my chest to keep me streamlined. Kicking takes a lot of energy and if I kick to hard on longer swims/sets I actually end up with a slower time.
When doing back, I don't think I have very good form. As a result, I kick like crazy to keep streamlined. I can't do back for more than 100 at a time without a quick rest.
My *** kick isn't very strong - at least not as strong as I would like it to be. (Although I may not be getting enough propulsion from my kick due to body position....). I definately need more work here.
I am just starting with fly, so don't have any real base to speak from.
As for doing kick sets - I think they do have value because...
1. They will help to keep ankles loose. This will make the kick more effective - both at giving propulsion and keeping balance - with the sam amount of effort during a swim. I think this is a key reason in favor of doing kick sets.
2. Nothing elevates my heart rate like an all out kick set.
3. I like to do dolphin kick sets - and am beginning to incorporate doing it on my sides and back - because of the work my abs get from it.
4. Kicking on my back seems to help my balance get better for backstroke.
5. Doing an egg-beater set (kicking while bending the knees rather than a proper flutter kick which is bending at the hips) is a great workout for quads. This really helps the breaststroke.
5. Finally, as a skier (snow), I am now working more kicking in for the next couple of months or so to get ready for the skiing season.
Just my thoughts. I would be interested in everyone elses thoughts too.
