(correct use of a kickboard)Holding the kickboard seems self explanatory and unimportant, but there is a right and wrong way to hold one. Many newer swimmers will naturally want to hold the kickboard with bent arms while clenching the sides toward the top of the board (in an effort to keep their upper body afloat). While this is a natural tendency, it is not effective for improving a swimmer’s kick.
To properly hold a traditional kickboard, you will want to place the same side hand on each side of the board securely, but not rigidly. Make sure you try to relax in the water. The more relaxed you are, the better the kickboard will be at keeping your upper body elevated, and in proper form, so that you can focus on your kicking movement.
You will need to keep your arms as straight as possible. All strokes require a streamlined position at some point in the stroke rotation. Keeping your arms straight will keep your body long and more hydrodynamic in the water, further benefiting the kicking motion. You can experiment with different hand placement, along the side of the kickboard and see what feels best for you, but realize that the best position will be the one which allows you to be as flat as possible in the water.
If working on kicking on your back, the preferred method would be without a kickboard. However, if you use a kickboard, you would lay on your back with arms lying flat parallel to the surface of the water (partially in and partially out of the water). Again, concentrating on streamline is the key to performing this correctly. To streamline on your back place your arms above your head with your hands (fingers together and flat) one on top of the other and squeeze your ears between your shoulders. If your shoulders are no longer in contact with your ears, this is a clue that your arms are not streamlined and you will need to refocus your attention to that.
If using a kickboard, I would recommend trying a style which allows, and encourages, a more natural streamline position. This type of streamline (also know as alignment) kickboard comes in several models. I personally use the Finis Alignment Kickboard so can confidently say that it is very effective at maintaining a streamline position and puts very little tension on my neck and upper body. The hands fit overlapped into a snug, but comfortable, strap. While streamlined arms are easier with this kickboard, you will still need to keep an eye on your arms and make sure they are not bent.
Another great benefit with this type of kickboard is the ease of using it to kick on your side with one arm outstretched and the other at your side (head should lie on the shoulder of the outstretched arm). Freestyle and Backstroke have a rotational element that requires effective side kicking because your body rolls with the stroke.
(Finis Alignment Kickboard)
Comments