Finally got the back kick today; thanks for all the great tips.

[divad]

For me, the back kick feels like a very circular motion of "scooping" water with the TOP of the fin.

Yeah, I was just fiddling around seeing if I could get any traction from the bottom of the fin. I felt like I did, but it wasn't worth the extra contortion. I think I need to concentrate on the loading phase now and quit fiddling.

 

[Doc Harry]

I just read on the GUE website that the back kick is no longer DIR.....

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just kidding

 

[Sloth]

i think that worrying to much about how your fins are grabbing the water is counter-productive. The fact that its so easy to back kick without fins makes me think that you are really grabbing the water with the side of your foot and ankle. In my mind getting your fins out of the way so to speak is the most important part.

Most people actually get the stroke right early on. What takes time to figure out is how to stop your fins from pushing you forward when you reset the stroke. Very common to see people moving back then moving forward while back kicking for a net effect of staying in the same place.

 

[divad]

i think that worrying to much about how your fins are grabbing the water is counter-productive. The fact that its so easy to back kick without fins makes me think that you are really grabbing the water with the side of your foot and ankle. In my mind getting your fins out of the way so to speak is the most important part.

Most people actually get the stroke right early on. What takes time to figure out is how to stop your fins from pushing you forward when you reset the stroke. Very common to see people moving back then moving forward while back kicking for a net effect of staying in the same place.

That's what I came to realize. That's why I'm going to quit fiddling around and concentrate on loading today (third pool try).

 

[divad]

OK, I've got it working pretty well now in the pool. It's much easier under water but I can't hold my breath for more than a third the length of the pool. Again, thanks for all the feedback. It was a big help.