Kicking with straight legs – Almost every TI coach and every discussion seem to recommend kicking with straight legs from the hips. Yet every video that I see including from the masters, Shinji and Terry show considerable bent knees. Shinji appears to bending his knees and straightening it to get momentum from his legs as do others. So what’s the scoop. Should practice follow theory. Or is straight leg kicking a myth
Coach Suzanne
Kicking “from the hip” does not mean kick with straight legs. The joints need to remain supple. The knee is soft and yields to downward movement of the leg to allow the full leg to “flow” and snap as Shinji shows. Don’t think I’ve ever heard any one recommend kicking with “straight” legs. However in correcting a kick that is coming from the knee with little movement at the hip joint, trying to kick with a straight leg will force some movement at the hip which those swimmers are not used to doing.
Donatello Parigino
How long is this swimming pool? I’m referring to the one where “The Most Graceful Freestyle Swimming” video has been recorded.
Thank you
