TIPS FOR KICKING!!!!

1 LOOSE LEGS
The key to fast swimming and fast kicking is to stay loose and relaxed.
Too many swimmers think fast kicking means hard kicking. The great swimming coach, Yoda, once said, "Unlearn what you have learned." By that, he meant that to progress-as a Jedi (and a swimmer)-you need to forget about trying harder when trying to go faster.
The faster you want to go, the more relaxed you have to be. This is especially true of kicking.
When trying to kick faster, keep your legs loose and relaxed. Increase your foot speed, but keep your legs loose and flowing.

2 STRONG HIPS
The real power in swimming is in your hips. (Just look at the size of the muscles around your hips and butt compared to your ankles and feet!)
Great kicking starts in the hips, then the power builds and flows down your legs: hips, thighs, knees, shins, feet; hips, thighs, knees, shins, feet.
Start your kicking with a small but powerful movement of your hip, then allow the power to build as the muscles around your thighs, knees, shins and feet all join in sequence to produce real H kicking strength.
How do you practice this?
Go for a walk!
You kick the way you walk-with your hips, thighs, knees (slight bend), shins and feet working in sequence. Think about that the next time you go for a walk: "My walking is helping my swimming!"

3 RHYTHM
Rhythm is the crucial element in all efficient movements.
Start simply. When kicking in backstroke and freestyle, count, "1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4," and so on to start to develop a consistent kicking rhythm.
In breaststroke, use a rhythmic mental "chant" like, "Long and strong, long and strong, long and strong" or "Reach long, kick strong reach long, kick strong; reach long, kick strong" to develop flow and real rhythm.

Music really helps. When you start kicking practice, imagine a song that has the same beat and rhythm as your kicking, then beat out the rhythm with your feet as you practice.

4 LONG LEGS
Long legs can build kicking power more effectively than short legs.
Knowing this fact, you obviously have two options:
* Have plastic surgery to add some inches to the length of your legs; or
* Keep your own legs long (and loose) when you kick. (This is obviously a far better and cheaper option than having plastic surgery!)
Try to keep your legs as long as possible, as often as possible in the water. Point your toes-but without tension-and stretch your toes toward the wall behind you with each kick.

5 FLEXIBILITY
Flexibility allows you to get into efficient swimming positions with little or no effort.
Flexibility is not only important for minimizing injuries, but in terms of kicking, it means that you can keep your legs long and loose and build power in a flowing sequence from hips to toes.
Work on flexibility everyday, particularly around your hips, thighs, knees, shins and especially your feet. Great kickers tend to have loose, flexible ankles.

6 STRENGTH
Get stronger.
Great kicking is a combination of three things:
* Long legs: Technique
* Loose legs: Flexibility
* Strong legs: Strength Training
The combination of these factors makes a great kicker. Strong legs without flexibility will not work. Loose legs without power will not work. You need all three to achieve optimal kicking efficiency.
Why not ride your bike to practice or school three times a week? Or take up cross country running during the winter? Perhaps you can start a leg power program at the local gym with a trained and qualified instructor.
But most importantly: when you train, do plenty of quality kicking with great technique all year-round!

7 FAST KICKS
During your workouts, kick as you swim. Practice fast kicks.
Try some timed kick goal sets. Try to achieve your kicking goals and standards with the same determination and passion as you do when you chase your swimming goals