Most of us spend so much energy on using our arms to propel us through the water that we neglect the powerhouse appendages behind us: our legs! While the kick isn’t as effective as the arm stroke, it is still a means to get us just that much closer to the wall. The farther your foot bends forward past 90 degrees, the more leg power you will be able to transfer to the water and the farther you will travel with each stroke. This is why learning how to develop a good kick is so important. We will discuss some tips on how you can improve your very own flutter kick, which is used in freestyle and backstroke.
It is important that you kick from your hip, not your knees. You will use much more energy bending your knees back and forth than if you move your legs at your hip joint. Next tip is to plantar flex your feet or in other words, point your toes like a ballerina. By keeping your feet in this position, you will be pushing the water behind you, thus propelling yourself forward in the water.
One of the best drills to practice your kick with is the 4, 6 or 8 beat kick drill. With each arm pull, you kick your feet either 4, 6 or 8 times. You may want to start with 4 and then work your way up to 8. Sooner than later you will be concentrating more on your foot work, and you will be on your way to a faster time! Remember that the more you practice, the easier it gets.
By: Christine Johnson, Guest Blogger
