There is no perfect underwater kicking amplitude for all swimmers,...
Andrew Sheaff@AndrewKSheaff
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Jan 07, 2026
~1 min read
1
There is no perfect underwater kicking amplitude for all swimmers, but there’s a perfect amplitude for each swimmer.
The key is to help them find it.
Larger kicking amplitudes have the potential to create more propulsion, but also less drag.
The key is to help them find it.
Larger kicking amplitudes have the potential to create more propulsion, but also less drag.
2
Smaller kicking amplitudes have the potential to less drag, but also less propulsion.
And a swimmer’s individual structure also impacts these relationships.
Here’s one way I like to help swimmers figure out what works for them.
And a swimmer’s individual structure also impacts these relationships.
Here’s one way I like to help swimmers figure out what works for them.
3
Have them perfom repetitions where they start off with really big kicks and get progressively tighter.
Their goal is to determine which is most comfortable for them & creates the most speed.
By using a range of amplitudes, they’re more likely to figure out what works for them.
Their goal is to determine which is most comfortable for them & creates the most speed.
By using a range of amplitudes, they’re more likely to figure out what works for them.
4
Using fins will help them better feel the drag they’re creating and using resistance will help them feel the propulsion they’re creating.
Explore the options and find the solution that leads to the most speed.
Explore the options and find the solution that leads to the most speed.