Great video! I have a problem with back kicking, I wonder if you can help me. After a few minutes of doing back kicks, I am getting cramps in my hamstrings. Have you had any students complaining about it? I am guessing it could be related to hydration or my legs are too tight when I perform these kicks and I need to relax my legs. I have no such issue on any other types of kicks, only back kicking. Thank you.
Hi, Getting cramps can be caused by a variety of things including hydration as you say. It is actually chemical process where parts of the muscles fire on their own and so a lot of things can cause it. However, I would suggest we start with the simplest explanation as you say you don't get it doing other kicks :-) Quite likely you are engaging the hamstrings too much and that is either (or both) that you are using them to resist the leg being straightened when you reset the kick and place your legs straight out (the thighs do the straightening, but the hamstrings can oppose the movement). The second thing is the actual pull up - this is using the hamstrings to lift up the feet. The actual "power" part of the kick (that uses the hamstrings), is not really "power" at all - so do not feel you have to "punch" or "force" your feet up. It is far more important to have placed your fins out to the side (so they engage with and "catch" the water) and then just bring the heels up in a smooth way (slow at first to get the feeling, then you can add a little more speed once the technique and fin blade angle is good). When the fins come up don't bring them too high - not at all as high as when you load for a frog kick. Bringing them too high causes more contraction of the hamstring making your problem more likely. It also is bad for the mechanics of the movement as it lifts the rear of the body and is what can make you rise up very easily. Basically, less power, more smooth and smaller movement :-) Do let us know how that goes when you can. Cheers.
Great video! I have a problem with back kicking, I wonder if you can help me. After a few minutes of doing back kicks, I am getting cramps in my hamstrings. Have you had any students complaining about it? I am guessing it could be related to hydration or my legs are too tight when I perform these kicks and I need to relax my legs. I have no such issue on any other types of kicks, only back kicking. Thank you.
Hi,
Getting cramps can be caused by a variety of things including hydration as you say. It is actually chemical process where parts of the muscles fire on their own and so a lot of things can cause it.
However, I would suggest we start with the simplest explanation as you say you don't get it doing other kicks :-)
Quite likely you are engaging the hamstrings too much and that is either (or both) that you are using them to resist the leg being straightened when you reset the kick and place your legs straight out (the thighs do the straightening, but the hamstrings can oppose the movement). The second thing is the actual pull up - this is using the hamstrings to lift up the feet.
The actual "power" part of the kick (that uses the hamstrings), is not really "power" at all - so do not feel you have to "punch" or "force" your feet up. It is far more important to have placed your fins out to the side (so they engage with and "catch" the water) and then just bring the heels up in a smooth way (slow at first to get the feeling, then you can add a little more speed once the technique and fin blade angle is good).
When the fins come up don't bring them too high - not at all as high as when you load for a frog kick. Bringing them too high causes more contraction of the hamstring making your problem more likely. It also is bad for the mechanics of the movement as it lifts the rear of the body and is what can make you rise up very easily.
Basically, less power, more smooth and smaller movement :-)
Do let us know how that goes when you can. Cheers.
Amazing!! Thank you for the effort 🙏🏼
Really very efficient professional video
Great instruction. Thx
This is the best video I have seen on back kick, Great Video!
Loved this instructional video ... I've been struggling practicing back-finning on my own, this helps a lot.
Amazing video!