Flutter Kick

Flutter Kick (skill)

Definition: Kick used in freestyle and backstroke; often first learned.

Core cues:

1. "First focus on using the top and bottom of the foot"
2. "Begin kick from hips and roll through ankles; knee snaps"
3. "Start with splashes, progress to fluid movement"
4. "Let them splash wildly at first"
5. "Hone the kick over time as swimmer feels water pushing on their feet/legs"
6. "Begin with large splashes that teach swimmers to push the water with the top and bottom of their feet."
7. "Focus on the feeling of the foot pushing on the water."
8. "Make the primary method of propulsion, moving forward, be from the kick."
9. "Do a mix of head in the water and head above water during the kicking of short or long distances."
10. "Refine excessive bending knees over time."
11. "Start with short super achievable distances at first. Then, over time, encourage a strong kick over loner distances."
12. "Emphasize that kicking well will make swimmers move better at first, then arm strokes will take over priority as mastery grows."

Coach interpretation:

• "First focus on using the top and bottom of the foot": watch for the foot pushing on the water with both the top and the bottom.
• "Begin kick from hips and roll through ankles; knee snaps": the kick originates at the hips and rolls down through the knees, ankles and toes.
• "Start with splashes, progress to fluid movement": allow a wider diameter initially, then narrow it to be as wide as the shoulders and body.
• "Let them splash wildly at first": permit wild splashing at the start.
• "Refine excessive bending knees over time": correct excessive knee bending gradually, not immediately.
• "Make the primary method of propulsion, moving forward, be from the kick": when using a tool to help the swimmer float, the kick should be what moves them forward.

Teaching strategy:

Introduce kicking by having swimmers sit on the edge. Begin with large splashes that teach swimmers to push the water with the top and bottom of their feet. Focus on the feeling of the foot pushing on the water. Next, practice with face in and hands on wall. Then kick with support: use any tool to help swimmer float, and make the primary method of propulsion, moving forward, be from the kick. The goal is for swimmers to learn on their own how pushing against the water with the top and bottom of their feet in a "floppy" and fluid motion will make them move. Do a mix of head in the water and head above water during the kicking of short or long distances. Use kick boards, barbells, floats, life jackets. Then kick to move: remove the kick boards and do glides and streamlines with kicks over a variety of distances. Start with short super achievable distances at first, then over time encourage a strong kick over loner distances. Add in arm strokes as well as a strong kick to provide movement. An excellent flutter kick would start with the hips and roll down the knees, ankles and toes like each leg was doing the "wave."

Common errors and corrections:

• Excessive bending knees: refine excessive bending knees over time.
• Kick too wide: let the kick be a wider diameter initially, then narrow it to be as wide as the shoulders and body (the size of the leg/knee/foot moving).

Progression:

Splashes → Movement → Efficiency. Beginners focus on splashing the water with the top and the bottom of the foot, promoting the feel of pushing on the water. Learning: let the kick be a wider diameter initially, then narrow it. Kick to move: remove the kick boards and do glides and streamlines with kicks over a variety of distances, then add in arm strokes as well as a strong kick to provide movement.