In one of my previous posting, I shared on a drill that can be done in the water to improve breaststroke kick. Young children tend to do breaststroke kick without locking their ankles, resulting in a kick out which resembles a cross between frontcrawl flutter kick and breaststroke wedge/whip kick. These kicks are both a disqualification in races and are inefficient in recreation swimming.
Besides doing drills in the water, we can help children improve their ankle flexibility with land exercises.
Exercise One
Kneel and have the children rest their buttocks on their heels. Hold the position for 10 counts then gradually stand up by pushing with their toes. Repeat for 2 more sets.
Exercise Two
Extend legs to the front while seated, have the children to point their toes away then point their toes towards themselves. Also, have them rotate their ankle in circles.
Exercise Three
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart in a slight “V” manner, squat down while ensuring the soles remains flat on the ground. Children with stiff ankle usually squat with the ball of the feet. Assist them if necessary, be careful as they might fall backwards. Do a hop and bring the legs together in mid-air. This resembles breaststroke kick in the water.
Continue to work on breaststroke kick in water while complementing with land exercises. Gradually, your children will be on their way to a stronger and technically correct breaststroke kick.
