how to properly kick?

Question

its so confusing! am i supposed to keep my leg straight and move my thighs up and down? or am i supposed to bend at the knees? how do properly kick?

and how do you kick if you do the backfloat?
I cant go forward/stay afloat long XD

Answer 1

Learning to properly kick in swimming is very much like learning to properly rollerblade. It's not a natural movement so it'll take some getting use to. Practice using a kickboard. Your legs should not be completely extended, however, you want to use as minimal knee bending as possible. Your hips and quads will receive a great deal of workout. If you feel burning or tightness in your knees, calves, or ankles, then you aren't properly kicking.

A good model, believe it or not, is to look at a toy scuba man. His legs are bent ever so slightly at the knees, however all of the movement comes from his upper legs. That's how your legs should move. Believe me, even experienced swimmers rely heavily on their arms and upper body. Proper kicking takes time to learn but will result in weight loss and tone legs.

To back float, follow the same philosphy. Extend your arms behind your head and make your palms face outward. Now bring your palms together so that your arms look like a twisty-tie. Now kick without bending your knees too much.

It will take time and practice but you know you can do it with the right amount of motivation!

Answer 2

Ask ur instructor if you're doing the scissor kick or the regular kick. The scissor kick is the one where you move the whole leg up and down without bending anything of your leg. The regular kick is the one where u can bend at the knees. Plus, keeping your legs too stiff might lead to cramps. U definately don't want that to happen while ur swimming.

Answer 3

You don't use your knees. Believe me, that pushes you backwards. What you need to do is get a straight body line before you start, it helps, believe me. After you are straight, begin kicking in an up and down motion, rotating between legs, and let your ankles and thighs do the work. The ankles are the most important part of kicking. Your feet go up, and down, which helps. email me if you want.

Answer 4

Practise wit ha flutter board first. You flex your feet and relax. Don't point your toes too much, it hurts. Keep your legs straight, but not stiff and kick from your hips. To make sure you do have someone watch you kick and ask them if your hips and dipping and wiggling a bit in the water from side to side. If you are, then you are kicking right. You shouldn't be making giant splashes, since it slows you down. Also, if it hurts your legs too much, you aren't doing it right.


When ur on ur back, you kick the same way, and keep ur tummy up. Try not to keep your legs too low, it sinks you. Keep your arms extended, palms up.

To float longer, relax (blow bubbles on ur front). Look up on your back.

Plus, to improve your swimming, swim with a friend who's good. You'll improve.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 5

flutter kicking (or freestyle and backstroke kicking) is just basically keeping your legs straight and kicking. you might bend your knees a tiny bit naturally. but they're supposed to be as straight as possible

Answer 6

you shouldn't be using your knees to much unless you do the "froggy" swim as i call it but i was told to kick underwater and dont splash and use your thighs and legs

Answer 7

keep your legs straight and do small quick kicks. keep your feet pointed inward and make your downward kick slightly harder than yoru upward kick. for backstroke, make your downward kick slightly harder than your upward kick.