Print this page

Breaststroke Drills Breaststroke Leg Kick on Edge of Pool Drill Swimmers can also practice this drill while lying on their backs and repeating the same sequence as below. You can add one more element, and have swimmers close their eyes while practicing this drill.   Purpose of the Drill Develop basic leg kick prior to entering water. Practice leg kick on back before attempting on front.   Teaching Points Swimmer sits on edge of pool with legs/feet in water. Swimmer's legs/knees are together, and heels are pressing against pool wall. Toes are pointing upward. Keeping knees together, slide heels outward along wall to a comfortable position. Keeping knees together, move legs/feet outward and forward, keeping toes pointing upward, creating a whip kick. Legs and feet are bought together straight, toes still facing upward. Swimmer bends knees and brings feet/heels back to wall. Swimmer repeats these actions on cue.   Breaststroke Kick_PSD (Dartfish)   Coaching Tips Check that the swimmer keeps knees together at all times during the outward and kick phase. Check that heels are sliding along pool and knee rotation occurs at a comfortable point. Check that the swimmer's toes are pointing up throughout the drill. Ask the swimmer how it felt to do this drill with his/her eyes closed.     Breaststroke Leg-Kick Drill on Back in the Water Purpose of the Drill Practice breaststroke leg kick in water. Practice leg kick on back, using kickboard for better buoyancy.   Teaching Points Swimmer holds board stretched out over knees, legs are straight and toes pointing upward. Swimmer bends knees, keeping them together, bringing heels back toward buttocks as far as comfortable, toes pointing upward. Keeping knees together, feet move outward and quickly upward, creating a whip-kick action.     Legs are together with toes pointing upward and slightly out of the water. Swimmer glides for only a short time before repeating the above sequence.     Breaststroke KoBWB (Dartfish)     Coaching Tips Remind swimmer to keep arms straight while holding board over knees. Encourage swimmer to push hips up. Check that swimmer's toes are pointing upward throughout the drill. Check that both legs are moving simultaneously at even heights. Encourage swimmer to be relaxed with head back and eyes to roof.     Breaststroke Kick with Hands on Buttocks Purpose of the Drill Feel the heels/feet coming back as far as possible to the buttocks. Develop a strong kick action.   Teaching Points This drill can be done either in prone (on front) or supine (on back) position. Generally, it is much easier to do this drill while on the back, especially for the beginner. The more advanced swimmer may be able to successfully do this drill while on his/her front. Have swimmer lie on his/her back. Arms and hands are on each side of buttocks. Swimmer performs breaststroke kick while on back and attempts to touch heels to hands.   Breaststroke Kick on Back, Hands by Sides (Dartfish)     Coaching Tips Encourage swimmers to push their hips and chest up high in the water. Encourage swimmers to keep head back, eyes to roof. Encourage swimmers to keep knees together during whole phase of kick. Check that the swimmers have toes pointing up during whole phase of kick. Ask swimmers if they were successful in touching heels to hands.     Breaststroke Pull — Kick Drill Purpose of the Drill Encourage correct breathing timing. Encourage correct arm action. Encourage swimmers to recover in streamline position. Encourage swimmers to perform correct kick action.   Teaching Points Demonstrate and describe the drill sequence. Have the swimmers simulate the sequence on pool deck. Can also use verbal cues. In water, swimmers will push off wall and complete one full stroke. Have swimmers return to wall and, this time, complete one full stroke, leaving arms extended. Have swimmers return to wall and repeat above; introduce leg kick only. When swimmers understand sequence, have them swim a short distance doing one full stroke then one kick only.   Coaching Tips Check swimmer's breathing/timing. Encourage swimmer to pull, using correct arm action. Check that swimmer does one kick only while arms are outstretched. Encourage swimmer to kick hard. On any finish to wall in breaststroke, encourage swimmer to touch wall with both hands. Practice this drill using one arm pull for every two kicks.

Prev Page                                                                 Next Page