How to Flutter Kick for Freestyle Swimming

The flutter kick can propel you through the water at a fast speed. Your legs work together to move your body from one side of the pool to the other. This is the kick that many children first learn in swimming lessons. You will see them lined up on the side of the pool crazily kicking their legs. But there is a method to the flutter kick. Read on to see how to perform the flutter kick for freestyle swimming.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Extend your legs straight out from your body when you are on your stomach in the water. Separate your legs a small amount, about 3 to 6 inches. Your legs should not be far apart from each other, but not touching either.

2. Move your legs up and down while they are extended from your body. When the right leg goes up, the left leg goes down. When the left leg goes up, the right leg goes down, and so on. Repeat this as you go through the water. Your arms will also be helping you move while you do the flutter kick for freestyle swimming.

3. Bend your knee slightly on the upward movement. If you are sprinting, keep your calf muscles contracted. If you are going a long distance, you barely need to bend your knees, and you can relax your calf muscles.

4. Point your toes in the direction of the motion you are going when you do the flutter kick for freestyle swimming.

Tips & Warnings

• How you have your feet flexed will affect your motion through the water. For example, when you are flutter-kicking a long distance, you should have your feet flexed more than 90 degrees.
• When you do the flutter kick, consider your legs, knees, ankles and feet, and work with all parts to figure out the best way to move through the water.

Resources

• Author Margo Dill's website

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