All swimming coaches have their own opinions on how one should kick; the significance of kicking as part of a workout; and what kicking means to the swim stroke overall.

I am sure there are triathletes who wonder why they aren’t great at kicking, considering all the cycling and running that a triathlete does. Leg strength, though, has very little to do with how well you kick. Kicking well is more the result of superior technique and flexibility. You’ve probably got people in your master’s swim team – pure swimmers no doubt – who are able to scissor-kick across the pool with a kickboard as fast or faster than you can swim. But would this sort of skill benefit a triathlete?

Most swim coaches will typically incorporate a kick set with kickboards into their workouts. This can be a good thing if you are trying to win a short swim-only race. However, most triathletes aren’t going to master’s swim meets to gain a podium spot with the other sprinters. My theory is, why even use a kickboard? It places you in an awkward position in the water – one that is not normal, and not beneficial to your swimming as a whole.

The theme which underscores everything I’ve written above, am writing below, and will write in the future in these pages is that kicking for the triathlete is not a significant means of propulsion. Kicking is important, but only as a means of aiding one’s balance and one’s body position in the water.

I have my swimmers kick without a board. The technique is as follows. Swim on your side, with your right side in the water and your right arm extended in front of you. Your left arm should be at your side, with your hand resting on your hip. It should ideally be out of the water (although this will take practice). Direct your face to the bottom of the pool. To breathe, turn your head.

This sounds easier than it is. However, with a little practice you’ll get the hang of it. The key here is to find your balance in the water. You’ll know you’ve started to achieve this when the hand that is on your hip is out of the water while you’re kicking. (By the way, a key to this is how deep or shallow your head is in the water.) Remember, all this is done while you are kicking on your side.

After doing a length of the pool kicking on one side, do another length with the other arm extended above your head. Then, try doing the same thing – only this time turn your head so you are looking straight at the sky the whole time. Though this may seem pointless, it isn’t. These are all exercises in body position.

When you become proficient at doing the kicking drills, you may want to incorporate some strokes into it. Count out a certain number of kicks and then take a stroke, keeping the arm you just placed into the water above your head until you count to the predetermined number of kicks. Then repeat.