Underwater Dolphin Kicking: 5 Tips To Bolster Improvement

Jun 21, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Start of heat two of the Women's 50M Freestyle during the preliminary heats at George F. Haines International Aquatic Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Photo Courtesy: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Underwater Dolphin Kicking: 5 Scientific Technique Tips

By Katie Wingert, Swimming World College Intern (From the Archive)

Swimmers and coaches alike love to talk about the importance of the fifth stroke: underwater dolphin kicking. But it can be overwhelming at times to understand just how to improve your underwater swimming skills.

Thankfully, scientific research has done much of the work for you, if you’re willing to look at it. Here are five ways you can improve your underwater swimming, according to research:

1. If you want to improve your underwater dolphin kick, improve your ankles.

start-200-free-2016-arena-indy-1010

Photo Courtesy: Peter Bick

According to a study by Willems and others (2014), as swimmers improve their ankle strength and stability, their speed while doing underwater dolphin kicking will also improve. Although the swimming community loves to talk about ankle flexibility, current research does not demonstrate as strong of a correlation between ankle flexibility and underwater dolphin kicking as between ankle strength and underwater dolphin kicking.

What is clear, though, is that there is a close relationship between ankle stability and ankle flexibility. If the ankle is flexible and stable, then when the swimmer extends it, it will be strong and controllable. Thus, researchers suggest that swimmers can improve their underwater dolphin kicking through plantar flexion strengthening. That kind of strengthening is possible through the use of a resistance band, through exercises like calf raises, and through plyometric exercises that require you to use the balls of the feet.

 2. Figure out what the perfect underwater dolphin kick frequency is for you.

underwater-kick-side

Photo Courtesy: Tennessee Athletics

A common misconception within the swimming community is that increasing the frequency of dolphin kicks will necessarily increase the speed of the swimmer underwater. In fact, research by Shimojo and others (2014) indicates that increasing the frequency of a dolphin kick does not always affect speed. Additionally, increasing the frequency of the kick decreases efficiency of the swimmer and causes them to lose energy. On the other hand, decreasing the frequency of a dolphin kick necessarily decreases the speed of the swimmer, and it improves efficiency and energy consumption.

The right answer, according to these researchers, is determining the ideal frequency of the dolphin kicking for each individual swimmer. How do you decide what frequency is right for you? Grab a tempo trainer and a coach with a stopwatch. Mark a spot on the bottom with a cone (like 15 meters) and test out different rhythms. The timer on deck can figure out which tempo gets you to the mark the fastest.

3. Work on the upbeat of the underwater dolphin kick.

streamline-2015-bolzano

Photo Courtesy: Irsara Daniele/Bolzano Swim Meet

Research by Atkinson and others (2014) reveals that swimmers who are faster at underwater kicking are more likely to spend equal amount of times performing both the downbeat and the upbeat of the dolphin kick, as opposed to weaker swimmers, who generally spend too much time on the upbeat and lose speed. Additionally, the fastest underwater swimmers quickly shift kick phases; after achieving the upbeat, they swiftly begin bringing their toes down into the downbeat.

4. Know when to start kicking.

50-free-start-

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Houel and others (2014) suggest that one of the most important factors of successful underwaters is that swimmers begin the process in a tight streamline and begin kicking at the right time. For elite swimmers coming off of a start, research suggests that six meters is the magic moment to begin the dolphin kick sequence. Although that number may seem high, a quick review of some of Michael Phelps‘ most famous races reveals the accuracy of this number. Shorter swimmers may have to adjust, but ultimately, the goal should be to start dolphin kicking so as to maintain efficiency and momentum.

5. Coordinate your hip and ankle movement.

Ryan Lochte underwater

Photo Courtesy: FINA Doha 2014

Coaches often talk about the importance of the hip initiating underwater dolphin kicking, but research by Elipot and others (2010) gives more reasoning behind that idea. These researchers suggest that the most elite swimmers manage to carefully coordinate their hip and ankle movements. If the hip and ankle are working in conjunction, with the hip movement motivating the ankle snap, then the underwater kick will be efficient and speedy. Swimmers can practice this kind of coordination through the use of a tempo trainer and through body dolphin drills.

All swimming and dryland training and instruction should be performed under the supervision of a qualified coach or instructor, and in circumstances that ensure the safety of participants.

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Shaheen Alghofari
7 years ago

Harvey Mcgreavy-gill Joe Stott

Charity Strate Weaver
7 years ago

Brylee Weaver

Amber Dawn Makovsky
7 years ago

Lilly

Nick Westaway
7 years ago

Gary Peach

Gary Peach
7 years ago
Reply to  Nick Westaway

That’s awesome.

Amber Dawn Makovsky
7 years ago

Lilly Makovsky

Laura Breakstone Blumenau

Helena Blumenau

Carien Theron
7 years ago

Colleen Bernard

Francis Schmitz
7 years ago

Dan Wilhelm, Ron Rasque, Gretchen Benjamin, Shelly Sabourin, Dawn Mihalovic-Bayer, Amanda Anne Katsma, Amanda Manock, LeeAnne Thorson Schwan, Susan McNamee, Pamela Batungbacal, Kitty Clark Cole

Josh Line
7 years ago

Jackson Penner Dain Vallie

Pepe Sanchez Alfonso
7 years ago

My nephew is an excellent butterflyer both in the 100@200 M
He is 12 years old. His best time so far is 1:05 in the 100fly. ( long course meters).. any suggestions on what brand of technical swimsuit I buy for him?

Pamela Batungbacal
7 years ago

Haha Francis Schmitz. I can’t dolphin at all!! ?

Francis Schmitz
7 years ago

I don’t either, but I know I fight the clock a lot & dolphin will cut time because your faster. We can learn something new every day. We still got a lot of pool time in our life.

Pamela Batungbacal
7 years ago

I dont fight the clock swimming. I fight it biking and running! Lol!!

Askar Amirkhanov
7 years ago

Дина Жамантаева

Vitor Posterare
7 years ago

Yasmin Thomeo

Yasmin Thomeo
7 years ago

Vou ver!

Natalie Archer
7 years ago

Brittany Archer

Karney McNear
7 years ago

Tommy Lutter

Lee Morgan
Lee Morgan
7 years ago

Underwater dolphin is much more efficient, and faster, with arms by the side. That way, the head is free to initiate the dolphin action and pass the undulation the length of the body. Imagine a real dolphin trying to swim well with 2 long limbs sticking out in front of it. The dolphin thrust begins with the head, so the head must be free to move up & down. Furthermore, with arms by the side, the hands, held parallel to the feet, can be used as fins for additional thrust and to enhance the body flow.

Miguel Sole Canales
7 years ago

Danny Moon Shea Huntington

Tumtum Tolba
7 years ago

Asser Mamdouh

Louise Chesworth
7 years ago

Tallulah Chesworth

Lyndz Holderness
7 years ago

Lucy French

Christina Wijkhuijs
7 years ago

Josien Ronald

Chase McFadden
7 years ago

Sarah Aksamit Interesting!

Ramon Butch Fermin
7 years ago

Hajime Hinata

Swim Giggles LLC
7 years ago

It sounds so easy, doesn’t it?…no seriously, you guys got this! 🙂

Vicki Hopkin
7 years ago

Charlie Hopkin

green lipo
7 years ago

DF

Bruce
Bruce
3 years ago

Solid advice, thank you!

Toby James
3 years ago

Jonathan James Declan James

Kathleen Larson Radloff

Lacey Lorraine Radloff interesting read.

Jennifer Frost Bower
3 years ago

Paige Bower

Steve Hamilton
3 years ago

Jaidyn Hamilton

John Hoskins
John Hoskins
3 years ago

I’ve used monofins to help.

Colleen Godfrey
3 years ago

Hester Snyman

John Hoskins
John Hoskins
2 years ago

I’ve used monofins. Works great. Misty Hyman trained with the monofin on a daily basis.

John Hoskins
John Hoskins
7 months ago

Add a monofin to help with all 5!

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