Three Drills Built For Fins
Own swim fins but not sure how they can make you a better swimmer? Here are three drills to try.
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1. Practice freestyle kicking with fins in various positions in the water: with a kickboard on your stomach, without a board on your side with lower arm extended, on your back with both at your side or underwater in streamline position.
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2. 6/3/6 or the “Triple Switch Drill” can be practiced with fins to more easily maintain forward movement. Push off the wall and take three strokes. After the third stroke, pause with one arm extended forward and the other against your side. Hold this elongated body position as you kick six times. Resume stroking for three strokes and pause with the other arm extended forward. Pause for another six kicks and continue this pattern across the pool.
Practice with this set: 4x(50 of 6/3/6 drill, 50 swim with perfect technique, 15 sec rest)
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3. Sprinting is a good opportunity to wear fins, as they can help simulate a better body position. A person moving quickly through the water will create a “bow wave” with his head. This wave channels water away from the face and eases the ability to breathe to the side. Practice by doing a set of 8×25 with 10 sec rest.
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