Comments on: Kara Lynn Joyce (American Record Holder) Shows Us Freestyle

By: Annette Pallowick

Annette Pallowick — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 20:52:35 +0000

Swimmers that need to improve their comfort level in the water, tend to need more work on body position. I like to use more streamline kicking without a board so they can feel how to work with the water, not against it. When progressing to a kickboard, I recommend a streamline kickboard. The legs tend to ride higher with the thinner composition of the board. Before working on the board, I, also, have swimmers kick on their back and side. When on their back, if their knees are popping out of the water, and/or if their legs from the knees down are low in the water, I have them hold the kickboard on their knees when kicking. They will feel the board when their knees touch the board. It’s so much fun teaching Triathletes! Love to watch them meet their goals at races.

By: Michelle StanWiens

Michelle StanWiens — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:25:29 +0000

Kevin -

I tend to agree w/ your thoughts about triathletes & kickboards. I’m not a big fan of using the kickboard to work on kick simply because it puts the athlete in a head-high, unbalanced position. I generally coach my athletes to work on their kicks (which they certainly should as many are “knee kickers” & not “hip kickers”) from an on-the-back position or a side position. Either of these two positions will put the athlete into a much more streamlined, swimming-like position – a great place from which to kick from! My two cents!

By: triswimcoach

triswimcoach — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:51:13 +0000

Hey Glenn,
Thanks for the comment!
I definitely agree that kick boards can be useful for swimmers like sprinters- but like you mentioned, triathletes have some different needs, and about 99% of the time I see them using boards in their workouts it’s just social hour! (which I have no problem with, as long as they don’t think they’re actually accomplishing anything workout-wise).

Keep the great videos coming!
(Goswim.tv if anyone reading is interested in more)

Cheers,
Kevin

By: Glenn

Glenn — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:23:43 +0000

Hey Kevin,

Understand that when Kara Lynn is using the kick board, she purposely makes sure that she keeps her feet as submerged as possible. This allows her to place more resistance and stress on her kick, which builds the muscles of her legs more quickly and requires more strength. These muscles help her use a very strong 6-beat kick for the sprints.

I personally don’t think people who actually need to use their legs for propulsion should shy away from kick boards. While triathletes, who need to save their legs should focus more on balance and the ability to limit their legs… people like Kara Lynn who have far different goals (a race that ends in or under :54 seconds), need to spend time in these positions and using these tools.

Just thought I’d throw that in there.

Thanks for posting, and if people want to see the entire video… well… you know. :)

Talk soon,
Glenn