I was a swimmer competition for more than 20 years and I can tell you that 2 kick, 4 kick and 6 kick is a natural , I never count, this is something that you can’t control it , is very frustrating if you count 🤷♀️
Hmm, some points here..... One, on amplitude, for sure, there is a max amplitude for any speed you are swimming. As near as I can tell, sprinters use a slightly higher amplitude when compared to distance swimmers. While higher amplitude does make for more power, it does create more drag. There is a point where the drag over comes the extra power. The scissor kick used with the side stroke does make for lots of power, but like the whip kick used for breast stroke, it creates so much drag that you come to an almost complete stop in between stroke cycles. Now for the kick cycles you have here. Not correct with the 4 beat kick, and the young woman you show with the green lettering under her is swimming a 4 beat kick cycle and not a 2 beat cycle. The 4 beat kick cycle is 1/2 as 3 beats, and the other half is 2 beat, so count would be 1, 2, 3, roll to the other side, and then 1, rest, rest. Frequently there are small 'reflex' kicks that are not full kicks. For each kick cycle, the kick that anchors on the pulling arm (right pull, right kick), is the power kick. This is because of body rotation that initiates from the shoulder/arm pull and goes through the body to the feet. So, for 2 beat kick cycle, each kick is the power kick. With the 6 beat kick, the 1 kick is the power kick, and 2, 3 are much weaker. While you say that one woman is swimming with an 8 beat kick cycle, that does not work mechanically to produce a power kick. You need an odd number to get that.
Hi Fares, I just got a 3rd place in my (14) age group in 50 free. Also a 4th and a CQT in 50 fly. Couldn’t have done it without your help. Thanks coach, Issy
This is great info, but how do count these beats especially the 6 beat. I have no rhythm to start with, and adding breathing to this really makes it difficult.
great video @FaresKsebati - could you do a video better explaining the 2 beat kick, im a very proficient swimmer but have never been able to coordinate a kick when doing frontcrawl, i had to slow the video down at 3:20 to see the 2 beat kick, it would be useful to have a video on timing and how your hips rotate and when to kick, thanks :)
Hey Fares, I have a 24 in my 50 free right now and I never really thought about the beat that im kicking. What do you recommend for such distance such as 50 and 100?
Great question! During a sprint, your legs act as your motor! Kick as hard as you can, at a 6-beat kick or more, and try to hold that tempo for the entire race. Good luck :)
Thx for covering that, but what I miss is how to do the actual kick right? There must be something with the way the legs and feet move to create max propulsion. When I do only kicking, I am so slow and feel like not doing it correctly.
Good question! You want to try to kick from your ankles. Kick in different planes to practice - on your side, on your back, and on your stomach. There's a reason Olympic swimmers have such flexible feet!
I have a question on your 2 beat kick. If my left arm is in the catch phase can I do my kick with my right leg? I saw in your video you kick the same side as the stroke. I feel the counter is a better cross power/balance for my rotation.
Hi Fares, tried to apply the 2 beat kick as it’s not something I’ve ever thought about. However I really struggled to keep balanced, and felt like I was sinking, particularly my legs. Yet I feel my body and head position is pretty good (goggle in the water, head down etc). I generally am negative bouyant, and my “float” point is under the surface. So I always feel I have to work harder to not sink with all strokes, but especially with 2 beat kicks. Should I be pulling more to compensate? Or should I be going with the kick beat that works the best for my perceived effort?
For mastering this, you gotta float 10-15 metres correctly! If you master that, try to do freestyle drills and then go for the actual freestyle, it might help you!
@@drumbody watch Caeleb Dressel 25m glide. I mean glide, not float sorry. You don't have to go 25m, 15m is enough! And another thing is to keep your butt tight, it helped me a lot in freestyle when i was learning it for the first time!
Not a question about kicking, but when I am in the pool, it seems that the other swimmers all swim constantly and keep the the same stoke. I have a brief pause every few lengths and vary between freestyle, breast stroke and using my pull buoy. How come nobody else seems to mix it up? Am I being inefficient with my session this way?
Great question! Here's the good news - your way of working out is more effective than the others! Adding variety in equipment, different strokes and different speeds will help you burn more calories and have more fun! Check out this video for more info: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YZpW7bIywjk.html
@Jamie Ravioli it depends who is there - also it depends on what stroke I do as I am prob fastest in my lane for 2 x 25 of freestyle with a pull buoy, but prob not fastest full freestyle 2 x 25... but then also it is almost always guys in the fast lane, perhaps one other woman who tends to be pretty fast doing constant freestyle. That is not a clear answer, is it?!?!
