How To Do A Reverse (Back) Kick and Avoid Crashing into Corals

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With good buoyancy control, the right fins, and the situational awareness mentioned you can skim over the reef. Water goes around the coral. Just follow the water.
 
It's really valuable for any diver to be able to back kick effectively, and that usually does mean ditching the split fins. They're dumb anyhow.....

Some instructors like to teach backward frog-kick in bare feet, in a pool. That's not a bad approach. But I don't think anyone will have much luck back kicking with enough power or control to hold against a current, change momentum, etc... with full scuba gear on unless they have fins that work well.

One thing that I found very helpful was learning the motion laying face down on a coffee table with fins on in front of a mirror. That way you can learn to point your toes a bit as you extend your legs to keep the fin tips horizontal.
 
many divers have become proficient at avoiding collisions without needing a back kick. but as a new instructor, i'll vouch that being able to "hit the breaks" or back up without waving arms all over has been a valuable skill to have.
 
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