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Faizan
The flutter kick is used in swimming the freestyle stroke, also known as the front crawl. The backstroke, or back crawl, also uses the flutter kick. While flutter kicking can be used for treading water, many swimmers find the scissors kick to be more effective for treading water because it allows swimmers' legs to rest briefly in between kicks. The scissors kick is also used to power the sidestroke and trudgen stroke.
Speed
If the objective is to swim from one point to another in the least amount of time, freestyle -- using the flutter kick -- is usually the fastest method. Flutter kicking incorporates an alternating up-and-down "tapping" of the feet at the water's surface. Powered by the muscles in the core and upper legs, effective flutter kicking requires the knees and ankles to be relaxed -- never locked. Toes are pointed down and back -- in the opposite direction being swum -- with quick, shallow kicks helping to propel the swimmer through the water.
Endurance
Many swimmers enjoy sidestroke for prolonged recreational swimming because it allows for an easy, relaxed pace and is swum with your head out of the water. Sidestroke uses the scissors kick, which begins in the glide position with the legs stretched out together behind you. Your legs are recovered from this position, according to the American Red Cross (ARC) Swimming and Water Safety Manual, by flexing your hips and knees -- keeping your knees close together -- to draw both heels towards your buttocks. Upon recovery, ARC adds that your top ankle should be flexed while the toes of your bottom foot should be pointed in preparation for the kick. Your top leg then comes forward while your bottom leg stretches back, and then in one strong, continuous motion, your legs "whip" back together -- never crossing -- to the glide position. The propulsion from the explosive kick is enough for you to rest briefly while gliding between strokes.
Head-Up Swimming
Swimming sidestroke with your head out of the water allows for easy "sighting," a method used by swimmers to get their bearings in open water or to keep an eye on a target in the distance. While front crawl can be swum with your head up, it takes a lot of energy and doesn't allow for resting. Many swimmers enjoy swimming sidestroke specifically because the scissors kick allows for head-up swimming at a pace that facilitates easy conversation. Swim instructors often use sidestroke or trudgen crawl -- front crawl using a scissors kick -- when swimming alongside a student for simultaneous observation and verbal instruction.
Carries and Tows
Freestyle is the fastest way to move through the water, but while flutter kicking provides speedy propulsion, the arms provide a significant amount of the power in front crawl. Because the scissors kick is strong enough to allow for one-hand or hands-free swimming, one or both hands can be used to carry or tow an object -- or person -- through the water. Lifeguards use the scissors kick when carrying a person to safety, although the kick is inverted -- top leg kicking back and bottom leg kicking forward -- to avoid kicking the person they are assisting.
Speed
If the objective is to swim from one point to another in the least amount of time, freestyle -- using the flutter kick -- is usually the fastest method. Flutter kicking incorporates an alternating up-and-down "tapping" of the feet at the water's surface. Powered by the muscles in the core and upper legs, effective flutter kicking requires the knees and ankles to be relaxed -- never locked. Toes are pointed down and back -- in the opposite direction being swum -- with quick, shallow kicks helping to propel the swimmer through the water.
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| Flutter Kick Vs. Scissors Kick |
Many swimmers enjoy sidestroke for prolonged recreational swimming because it allows for an easy, relaxed pace and is swum with your head out of the water. Sidestroke uses the scissors kick, which begins in the glide position with the legs stretched out together behind you. Your legs are recovered from this position, according to the American Red Cross (ARC) Swimming and Water Safety Manual, by flexing your hips and knees -- keeping your knees close together -- to draw both heels towards your buttocks. Upon recovery, ARC adds that your top ankle should be flexed while the toes of your bottom foot should be pointed in preparation for the kick. Your top leg then comes forward while your bottom leg stretches back, and then in one strong, continuous motion, your legs "whip" back together -- never crossing -- to the glide position. The propulsion from the explosive kick is enough for you to rest briefly while gliding between strokes.
Head-Up Swimming
Swimming sidestroke with your head out of the water allows for easy "sighting," a method used by swimmers to get their bearings in open water or to keep an eye on a target in the distance. While front crawl can be swum with your head up, it takes a lot of energy and doesn't allow for resting. Many swimmers enjoy swimming sidestroke specifically because the scissors kick allows for head-up swimming at a pace that facilitates easy conversation. Swim instructors often use sidestroke or trudgen crawl -- front crawl using a scissors kick -- when swimming alongside a student for simultaneous observation and verbal instruction.
Carries and Tows
Freestyle is the fastest way to move through the water, but while flutter kicking provides speedy propulsion, the arms provide a significant amount of the power in front crawl. Because the scissors kick is strong enough to allow for one-hand or hands-free swimming, one or both hands can be used to carry or tow an object -- or person -- through the water. Lifeguards use the scissors kick when carrying a person to safety, although the kick is inverted -- top leg kicking back and bottom leg kicking forward -- to avoid kicking the person they are assisting.
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