freestyle swimming - kick with hip?

Question

I have been told that I should kick with my hip in freestyle swimming; however, I can't do it, and I always kick with the lower part of my legs (calves) Why? Any video on the web that I can look how professionals kick? (under water camera view)

Answer 1

Let us answer a question you did not pose first. WHY do you kick with the hips? tHis is a two-fold answer. First, you kick with the hip because swimming is ALL ABOUT STREAMLINE. You want to be as hydrodynamic as possible when you swim. When you bend/drop your knee and kick with your calves, it is like steaming ahead in a boat with the anchor lowered. Second, the muscles in your thigh make up the largest and most powerful muscle group in your body. the more you can tap into that resource, the faster you'll swim. Now... as to HOW you do it...

The kick originates at the hip-flexor. To stretch (and consequently create a neurotic attachment to the muscle) go into a lunge position and then attempt to push the hip of the leg behind you forward so that your hips square up and face in front of you. (if that didn't make sense, don't worry about it)

I would most certainly advise looking at a professional kick wherever you can find one (youtube or google is your best bet) but DON'T try to imitate them. A truly powerful kick uses the leg like a whip. The calf, knee and ankle are all relaxed... the power originates in the hip-flexor and thigh and the lower leg acts in a whip-like downward motion adding velocity to your kick. While this comes naturally to most advanced competitive swimmers, it is a hard concept to actually execute and often ends with the swimmer kicking from the knees or bicycle kicking. So, I would advise you to check out such videos, but refrain from imitating them, at least for now. As you begin working on your kick, try to kick with your knees actually locked and your toes pointed. This likely will not result in a powerful kick, however, this is the concept and feeling you must master to progress to a more effective kick. From here, slap some fins on and try the same thing, but relax your ankles. This doesn't mean flex your foot and point your toes at the bottom... your toes should always be pointing in the general direction behind you. However, a relaxed ankle will give you a more whip-like motion... Still make sure your knees are locked. Feel the added propulsion you get from the relaxed ankles. Then from this point, leaving your ankles relaxed and the fins on, begin to SLIGHTLY relax your knees. Make a conscious effort to keep your legs straight, but don't lock your knees. If you begin to feel your knees bending even slightly, lock them back up again, as this probably means they're bending much more than you want them to. When you have mastered the feeling of kicking with a relaxed ankle and knee with fins, take the fins off. Realize that this kick will feel MUCH LESS powerful without fins, but it is ultimately faster. Continue to pay attention to how you kick and the motion your legs are going through, and again, if you feel your knee begin to bend, lock it up again. Same goes with the ankle. Above all, you need to train your brain to create a connection to the nerves in the muscles you use to kick both correctly and incorrectly, and the ability to identify which motion is right will only come with much practice and some on-deck assistance.

Answer 2

Practise with a 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. You can bend knees a bit.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. And keep kicking as you swim to stay floating better
You may also want to use fins


I hope this helps. Good luck

Answer 3

To complete a successful front crawl kick you need to use the hips to initiate the leg movement by a slight rotation, followed by a transference of energy to the knee which if relaxed should have a slight bend in it. Extend the knee and transfer the energy to you floppy ankles which complete the down beat of the kick.
Complete the above action with the opposite club as you retract the initial leg back up to the starting position.
Also ensure you have some depth to your kick as a small shake-like movement is ineffective and inefficient

Answer 4

Yes, it's mostly the hip. The calf should more or less relax and go with the flow of the water. Try some fins for your feet and get the feel of the movement. (Just don't kick too hard or over do it or you can easily get a cramp) Have fun!

Answer 5

The trick is to bend your knees SLIGHTLY. Some people just get the kick and some people don't. My advice to you would be to get in the pool early/later than everyone else and work with just a kick board. Experiment with different kicks and try to get a feel for what works. I know people that have had a horrible kick but went 20.xx in the 50 free.

Answer 6

When you kick for freestyle, you aren't supposed to use your calves too much. You have to use your thighs more. Like, you have to kick from your thighs, that way, you have more power and you move faster. Don't bend your knees too much. If you use your thighs, you will see more movements in your hips. I hope that helps.

Answer 7

practice your kick by grabing the pool's edge and kick from the hip, this way if you cramp up you're already grabbing on to something while you learn. Then you can try practice laps where you only use your legs to prpel yourself through the water.

Answer 8

I used to swim freestyle in high school, when you are kicking try to rotate your hip like the other answer said, but it would feel like you are swaying in the water if that makes sense? it's like going back and forth, but more smoothly. hope it works?

Answer 9

ive been on a comp swim team for ages its simple all you need to do Is when you start on you lap Pick 1 thing you want to work on then on your next lap pick another thing you want to work on its allwys help me at some of the local rec centers they have pre comp teams you should think about doing one thats how I get frist and second place in natonails good luck and if you need anything else just email me [e-mail]


bye

Answer 10

difficult stuff. query on to search engines like google. this can assist!