How to kick properly

This is a great video showing how to properly swim using the flutter kick.

Level: Beginner

Master the kick, and your swimming gets so much easier.

Kicking properly is one of the basic fundamentals of swimming. Having an effective kicking technique allows swimmers to gain momentum and actually move through the water. Once students master this remarkably easy skill, they’ll likely be amazed at how much more efficient their swimming becomes.

How to kick properly:

1.) Tell your students to sit down near the edge of the water with their legs straight out in front of them. If you’re near an in-ground pool, have your students sit in the pool “gutter.” If you work

Have your students sit in the pool gutter when practicing kicking with them for the first time.

with students in an above-ground pool, it might be best to practice this skill on dry land. (You don’t necessarily need the water to practice this particular exercise.)

2.) Instruct your students to point their toes. Then, while bending the knees slightly, students should kick small, fast kicks. Be sure your students do not over-bend their knees or lift their legs too high. The kicks should be tiny, and the toes should stay near the surface of the water. This is called flutter kicking.

Kicking exercise #1: Kicking with a flotation device
Equipment needed: A noodle, kickboard or long floating dumbell

If using a kickboard, students should keep their elbows straight and against the board. Their hands should be gripping the top edge. The girl on the left is doing it correctly.

1.) While you and your student are in the water, tell your student to grab onto the noodle, kickboard or dumbell with two hands. (If using a kickboard, your student should place his or her elbows flat against the board, with the hands gripping the top edge.)

2.) Tell your student to begin kicking a flutter kick. The elbows should stay straight, and the toes should stay near the surface of the water. Have them practice kicking fast, then slow.

Kicking exercise #2: Kicking after a front pushoff
Note: This exercise can only be practiced in an in-ground pool

1.) Tell your student to get into a position for a front pushoff.

2.) Instruct your student to push off the wall. The student should then start flutter kicking,

Remember: During streamline, the arms should be squeezing the ears, and one hands should be resting on top of the other.

keeping his or her face in the water and squeezing the ears with his or her arms in a streamline position.

Tip:
If your students aren’t moving forward in the water while kicking, it’s probably because a) they’re bending their knees too much, b) their kicks are too big or c) they’re not keeping their toes pointed. Remember: flutter kicks should be small, but fast, and the toes should always stay pointed and near the surface of the water.

COMING SOON: Learning the front crawl