Problem Kicking Front Crawl Legs With A Float
I have a problem kicking front crawl legs with a float. I have a strange swim stroke of breaststroke legs with front crawl arms. This has never been an issue as I only ever used to swim across the pool to the bar on holiday to get a pina colada. But I have recently started doing sprint triathlons and wondered if there are any good techniques to practice my leg kick? I have tried the float in front and just kicking legs but get nowhere. My time for 400m is@ 8 min. Or do I need to get myself a few lessons?
The question you are really asking is to do with the timing and coordination of front crawl. You have been so used to kicking breaststroke legs that your front crawl legs now kick with the same 1 kick, 1 arm pull timing that they have been used to.
Before you go killing yourself by kicking with a float and getting nowhere, think about the rest of your front crawl technique.
The speed and power of the leg kick is of least importance to the rest of your swimming stroke. The majority of the power and propulsion for front crawl comes from the arm pull. The overall efficiency of the stroke comes from the horizontal and streamlined body position. The leg kick therefore is required to give the stroke balance and stability.
Yes in some cases the leg kick provides power but only over short sprint distances of 50 or 100 metres. You are competing in sprint triathlons and despite its name it is still essentially an endurance event.
Most of the best long distance front crawl swimmers in the world swim using one kick for one arm pull. It uses far less energy for the distance required. Which is much needed in your case as you will be cycling and running straight after!
Just be sure your leg kick comes from the hip with a slight knee bend and very relaxed ankle joint. Kicking with a float will help you focus on this. Then, let the power of the arms and efficiency of the body position get you easily through the water.
Our eBook 'The Complete Guide to Swimming Front Crawl' contains over 20 separate exercises to help correct all parts of your swimming technique. You can print out the exercises you need and take them to your pool to try out. The exercises are very clear and easy to follow and you can download them instantly. Click the link below for more details.
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