Once the ability to float is accomplished, the next step is to learn the kick. Using a kickboard is very helpful for beginners. Kickboards help swimmers get their hips up on top of the water, which is crucial to prevent sinking.
Once swimmers are comfortable kicking on their back with a kickboard, swimmers should practice kicking on their back without a kickboard in order to have more success when the arms are added. Swimmers should simply remove the kickboard from their hands and kick on their back with their arms in the same position. Swimmers need to practice this until they can make forward progress by only kicking on their back. In order to make forward progress with the kick, legs should be straight, toes should be pointed, and the kick must be rapid. Always make a splash with your kick.
Swimming Backstroke without sinking can be accomplished through the series of methodical steps outlined above. If you find yourself sinking once you add your Backstroke arms, go back to the root of the problem: you are not floating correctly.
A great drill to practice if you are having problems with sinking while swimming Backstroke is the 6-beat kick drill. Take 6 kicks per 1 arm pull. Keep one arm at your side and the other arm stretched back above your head on top of the water. Kick 6 times, then switch your arms. Now your other arm is by your side and the other one is stretched back behind your head on top of the water.
Always remember to RELAX. You can't float unless you're relaxed.
Once swimmers are comfortable kicking on their back with a kickboard, swimmers should practice kicking on their back without a kickboard in order to have more success when the arms are added. Swimmers should simply remove the kickboard from their hands and kick on their back with their arms in the same position. Swimmers need to practice this until they can make forward progress by only kicking on their back. In order to make forward progress with the kick, legs should be straight, toes should be pointed, and the kick must be rapid. Always make a splash with your kick.
Swimming Backstroke without sinking can be accomplished through the series of methodical steps outlined above. If you find yourself sinking once you add your Backstroke arms, go back to the root of the problem: you are not floating correctly.
A great drill to practice if you are having problems with sinking while swimming Backstroke is the 6-beat kick drill. Take 6 kicks per 1 arm pull. Keep one arm at your side and the other arm stretched back above your head on top of the water. Kick 6 times, then switch your arms. Now your other arm is by your side and the other one is stretched back behind your head on top of the water.
Always remember to RELAX. You can't float unless you're relaxed.
