Recommendations on improving Swim Kick

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2007-11-27 8:39 PM

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Subject: Recommendations on improving Swim Kick

My kicking sucks when I swim and I can't figure out how to get a good pattern down.  My kick is to fast an crazy, I can only imagaine what it looks like to people watching.  Is there any way for me to learn a proper kick or websites to view how to improve my kick.  Thanks.

2007-11-27 10:43 PM
in reply to: #1071296

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Subject: RE: Recommendations on improving Swim Kick
A good kickboard can help you with kicking workouts. You could have a coach take a look at your kick and give you advice on proper form. One common mistake alot of people make is bending too much at the knees, but without being able to see it I couldn't give you any specific advice.
2007-11-28 4:45 AM
in reply to: #1071296

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Bob
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Subject: RE: Recommendations on improving Swim Kick

Another problem many triathletes that come from a running background face is not having good ankle flexibility. I have worked with some runners in the pool that actually go backwards when they kick! I used to sleep on my back with a heavy quilt over my feet that would help stretch out my ankles.

Kicking a lot during your swim workouts will help.  Having a good coach look at your kick and give pointers will be very beneficial. Below is a written article on flutter kick, I'm sure there are many video's out there if you google freestyle kick.

http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/articles/swimmagazine/articles/199507-02swim_art.asp  

2007-11-28 8:16 AM
in reply to: #1071296

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Modesto, California
Subject: RE: Recommendations on improving Swim Kick
I use a board and fins together to strengthen my kick. Using the board allows me to relax my upper body and focus on my kick, using fins slows down my kick while strengthening legs. The result is that I have found a comfortable rythm with my kick that allows me to get a strong propulsion. I will do 500-1000 yards kick each workout. Work your way up slowly and you will see results.
2007-11-28 9:10 AM
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2007-11-28 9:16 AM
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Subject: RE: Recommendations on improving Swim Kick
I'm a real big fan of vertical kicking in the deep end of the pool; the shallow end, not so much.


2007-11-28 9:40 AM
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Subject: RE: Recommendations on improving Swim Kick
according my coach, my kick has improved a lot by using the kick board. Before I used to bend at my knees a lot but now i'm kicking more using my abs then my legs and it's helped quite a bit.
2007-11-28 1:04 PM
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Subject: RE: Recommendations on improving Swim Kick

 

My kick has moved from abysmal to marginal, The biggest improvement I made was when I started doing sets of kicking on my back (like backstroke without any arm movement) this taught me how to get my hips into the kick, and improved my body position in the water.

I used fins in the beginning doing sets of  25 kick on back with fins, 25 kick on back w/o fins, 25 swim, trying to use the same kick. The 3 length set allows you to pick up your fins at the end to begin another set.

After a few weeks of this drill, I quit using the fins and do sets of 25 kick on back 50 swim or 25 kick on back 75 swim.

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