Post by @swimsuccess

Let’s start with the mechanics. 👉 The good news is the 6 beat kick is simpler than most swimmers think. If you just kick non stop in freestyle without thinking about it, you’re most likely already doing a 6 beat kick. That’s because it’s very hard to kick more than 6 times per arm cycle naturally. So the rhythm is already there for most people. 👉 The most important timing rule. Your very first kick of each cycle has to match the same side as your catching arm. Right arm catches, right leg kicks first. That connection is what makes the kick efficient and keeps your whole stroke in rhythm. 👉 How it differs from a 2 beat kick. The 6 beat kick should be smaller and more compact than a 2 beat kick. Your knees can bend but it has to happen naturally. Never bend them on purpose. Small, quick, and connected to your arms. Now, who should use it. ✅ Anyone racing under 400m. For distances under 400m the 6 beat kick gives you more speed and is worth the extra energy. ❌ For anything 400m and longer, a 4 beat or 2 beat kick is more efficient. The energy cost of a 6 beat kick over long distances is simply not worth it. 💡 For triathletes specifically, here’s a smart race strategy. Start the swim with a 6 beat kick for the first 100 to 200 meters to get ahead of the pack. Then switch to a 2 beat kick and focus mostly on your arms for the rest of the swim. Remember, swimming is an arms dominant sport. Be smart about where you spend your energy. 📲 Download our app and get the link to get your first 7 days of personalised training completely free inside the Swim Success Training app.