1. Importance of TEACHING kicking to Age Group Swimmers
Derek Shipp
Co-Head Coach, Director of Club Development Flyers Aquatic Swim Team

2. Introduction Kicking is important at all levels. Why TEACH it now?
This talk will be in two parts:
Advantages of teaching proper kicking technique at young ages
What I teach with regards to each stroke

3. Part 1 Reasons to TEACH kicking to younger swimmers
Legs take longer to develop than arms
Gross motor vs. fine motor
Line of sight
Fitness aspect

4. Part 1 Reasons to TEACH kicking to younger swimmers
Coaching while doing
Give “instant” feedback to athletes
Increase usable coaching time during practice
Builds awareness and rapport with the swimmer (you are not just teaching kicking, you are teaching how to learn)

5. Part 1 Reasons to TEACH kicking to younger swimmers
Some pull flaws originate with the kick
Flat/submerged shoulders in backstroke
Uneven tempo/crossover in free and back
Underwater/non-simultaneous recovery in butterfly
Over-pulling in breaststroke

6. Part 2 Kicking technique for all four strokes
Freestyle
Short, fast kicks just under the surface
Kicking in a “v” toward the center line (but not across it)
Maintain kicking while breathing!

7. Part 2 Kicking technique for all four strokes
Backstroke
Short, fast kicks just under the surface (kick the surface like it is solid)
Maintain horizontal body position throughout the length (kick shallow)
Kick in a letter “A” toward the center line (but not across)
Maintain the same kick while breathing!

8. Part 2 Kicking technique for all four strokes
Butterfly
Keep toes, ankles and knees together and kick from midsection (not knees)
Maintain shallow, powerful kicks
Useful in all four competitive strokes
Breathe IN during down-sweep of every fourth kick

9. Part 2 Kicking technique for all four strokes
Breaststroke
Propulsive part of foot/leg is the instep of foot and inside of lower leg
Accelerate feet together (like you are trying to pop a balloon between feet)
Blow out, forcefully when you kick (and glide)
Recover heels just before breathing in!

10. Conclusion
Improving kicking is a process that has benefits beyond the base kicking speed of your athletes. Improving the TEACHING of kicking can:
Improve the feedback loop that you have with your athletes
Improve the speed with which they learn new skills
Rectify some of the pulling issues they have
Help them breathe more efficiently while they kick and swim
Make them better kickers and better swimmers

11. Thanks for attending!
Derek Shipp