Mastering the breaststroke screw kick

Mastering the breaststroke screw kick is a baffling and frustrating process for many swimmers, one which can put them off the stroke completely.

Operating the legs symmetrically just falls naturally to some, but for others it can feel completely unobtainable.

While on the surface it might seem like just one foot is out of sync with the other on the propulsion phase, the most common causes of screw kick failure are a lack of balance and a poorly executed recovery phase.

Before attempting to correct it, do your best to work out where your kick is going wrong. If you’re not sure, ask someone to watch your stroke and give feedback.

Good technique – kick recovery

1. From a streamlined position, bring your heels towards your bum.
2. Concentrate on not dropping your hips or moving your knees towards your body.
3. Your knees should move down slightly below the hip line and out so they are just outside the width of your hips at the beginning of the propulsion phase.
4. If your heels are breaking the surface of the water, you can afford to lower your knees a bit more but remember that breaststroke kick comes from the knees, not the hips!

Good technique – kick propulsion

1. From the end of your recovery position, turn your feet out and sweep them out and backwards in a circular shape while keeping them flexed.
2. Remember to use your core and don’t let your hips drop. You should be kicking backwards, not down.
3. Your heels should finish together with your legs out-stretched and streamlined with the body.

So now you know how it SHOULD work, what are the best drills for practicing the technique so it becomes second nature?