The freestyle kick. A visual 🧵. 1. The freestyle kick serves three...
Andrew Sheaff@AndrewKSheaff
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Jan 10, 2026
~1 min read
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The freestyle kick. A visual 🧵.
1. The freestyle kick serves three key functions, all of which help swimmers go fast.
The most obvious is that it creates propulsion to power swimmers down the pool.
Cont.
1. The freestyle kick serves three key functions, all of which help swimmers go fast.
The most obvious is that it creates propulsion to power swimmers down the pool.
Cont.
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2. The kick is also very important for helping swimmers maintain effective body position.
They help keep the hips up, which means less drag and more speed.
Cont.
They help keep the hips up, which means less drag and more speed.
Cont.
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3. The kick is also critical for helping swimmers manage their rotation.
The kick can either accelerate rotation as it does when swimmers are setting up the stroke and finishing the stroke, or it can prevent rotation during the pull to maximize propulsion. It matters.
The kick can either accelerate rotation as it does when swimmers are setting up the stroke and finishing the stroke, or it can prevent rotation during the pull to maximize propulsion. It matters.
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Execution is where the rubber hits the road in skill development.
The important work has to actually happen.
One of the best ways to help coaches focus on the right skills is by providing weekly guidelines for targeting skills.
The important work has to actually happen.
One of the best ways to help coaches focus on the right skills is by providing weekly guidelines for targeting skills.