Coaches Corner: The Importance of Underwater Kicking; Developing Stability
During the recently concluded Olympic Games in Paris, multiple performances stood out inside La Defense Arena. But the nine-day competition will certainly be remembered for what Frenchman Leon Marchand delivered in front of a home crowd.
With four individual gold medals, all in Olympic-record time, Marchand was an undeniable force in the water. One of Marchand’s strengths, among many, is his unmatched underwater talent. Off each wall, the 22-year-old dominates the opposition and can change the landscape of a race.
In this latest episode of Coaches Corner, regular Swimming World contributor and author Andrew Sheaff examines the importance of underwater kicking. In his discussion, Sheaff emphasizes the need for swimmers to generate stability in order to produce the necessary undulation incorporated in underwater kicking.
To generate the skills required in underwater kicking, Sheaff offers several tips. In addition to explaining the benefits of the Wall Dolphin Kick, he focuses on Vertical Dolphin Kicking while keeping the head in a still position. Another drill is to perform underwater kicking while holding onto a fin or paddle and keeping the fin/paddle completely still.
Be sure to watch Sheaff’s video in its entirety to promote stability for athletes while underwater kicking.
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