Eggbeater Kick Drill
Eggbeater Kick Drill:
- Line the class single file (Front to Back)
- Sumo-Wrestler Walk
Tell them to squat in the style of a sumo wrestler. Key features are a low glute position, knees above the waist, and spread wider than the waist. They should walk once around the pool. - Standing High Knee Walk – Bouncing
Get them to do this twice: once walking, once bouncing-not running). Standing high, shoulders back, bounce from leg to leg with the knees coming above the waist, keep the toes pointed towards the ground while in the air but flat when on the ground (this develops the whip-kick like motion). This looks like a high-knee jog – except that you always want them to have their knees wider than their shoulders. - Jump into Pool
Have the class repeat the last jog, however they should finish by a safe jump into the pool where they continue the same wide-leg jogging motion- their shoulders should move a lot from side to side.
- Butt Wiggle
As they are comfortable using their motion to stay up and look relaxed, have the start to wiggle their buttocks as that will generate the free hip motion needed – still lots of should motion.
- Smooth Out
Go through and start to bring their shoulders into a stationary focus and smooth out the appearance so that they look stable.
- Practice, Practice, Practice
Once they are in the ballpark I always encourage them to practice at home on the couch watching TV – key them into having their buttocks hanging out over the edge to maintain free hip motion (if they sit on their bottom as they practice it will alter the learning ).
If anyone does not seem to “get it” immediately don’t panic – some people it takes some time to click in
- Strength will develop the more they do it so make eggbeater “mandatory” for all practice (obviously you DO NOT evaluate on that – follow the must-sees):
- Key them into repeating the process on their own time at the pool – the more they go through the process the more likely they are to get it
- Get them to practice with a lifejacket/deep water jogging belt as they can hang forward and watch their legs move – I sometimes use this on step 4 as well.
Be VERY carful and warn the candidates to be careful doing the walks/jogs or the will a) get all bunched together or b) fall down — safety first!
Finally, remember that eggbeater is functionally whip-kick with the legs moving in opposition rather than in snyc so use that to guide your drill development and though process.
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