Backstroke kick with noodles under the neck

 

Performing the backstroke kick with noodles under the neck is a great way to focus on improving your leg strength and body position for backstroke swimming.

Here’s how you can do it:

Get a Noodle:

Obtain a foam pool noodle. These are long cylindrical foam floats commonly used in pools for various exercises and activities.

Body Positioning:

Start by lying on your back in the water with the noodle placed horizontally under your neck. Your head should be comfortably resting on the noodle, and your ears should be submerged slightly.

Arm Position:

Keep your arms relaxed by your sides or extend them out to the sides slightly for balance. You can also hold onto the noodle at your sides for extra stability if needed.

Kick Technique:

Begin kicking your legs in a flutter kick motion. Your legs should move in an alternating up-and-down motion, similar to the flutter kick used in backstroke swimming. Focus on generating power from your hips and keeping your legs relatively straight with pointed toes.

Maintain Body Alignment:

Throughout the exercise, aim to keep your body in a straight line with your hips near the surface of the water. Avoid excessive arching of your back or bending at the hips.

Practice:

Start with short durations and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable with the exercise. Focus on maintaining a steady and consistent kick rhythm.

Feedback and Adjustments:

Pay attention to how your body feels in the water and adjust the positioning of the noodle if needed to ensure proper support under your neck. Additionally, observe any feedback from your kick technique and adjust as necessary to improve efficiency and power.

Safety:

Always practice water safety and ensure that you are in a safe environment with appropriate supervision, especially if you’re not a confident swimmer.

By incorporating this backstroke kick drill with a noodle under your neck into your swimming routine, you can enhance your backstroke technique, build leg strength, and improve overall body position in the water.