How to Teach Flutter Kicks: The One Instruction That Works Like Magic

Flutter kicks are more complex than they appear. The movement requires swimmers to initiate the kick from hips with enough downward force while keeping knees relaxed, feet flexible, and range of motion small. It's a complex movement that requires speed and precision at the same time, while knowing exactly when to force the movement and when to relax the leg. The typical instruction where you'd tell students to keep their legs straight is only half of the movement, which often causes stiff knees, jerky movements, confusion, and frustration. And when they finally learn to kick from the hips, they'll have to work on their knees, feet, downward force, and speed.

One Instruction to Rule Them All

When you teach complex movements like flutter kicks, you need to simplify the technique to avoid overwhelming beginners. This one instruction can help your students master their flutter kicks with ease in one lesson.

First have them float on their back. This helps them see their legs and become more aware of their movements while staying relaxed. This is more effective than imagining the movement with their heads in the water if they are kicking on their front. Then instruct them to splash their feet without letting their knees break the surface. Doing so will help them understand the force direction, proper knee position, and the role their feet play in pushing water.

"Kick on your back, hide your knees under the water, and only splash with your feet."

Applying the Kick to the Front Position

Once beginners feel comfortable with flutter kicks on their back, they can try the movement on their front. Some swimmers may still struggle or forget how to kick because they are focused on hiding their knees or spashing their feet. Ask them to kick on their back again while slightly rotating their bodies on both sides. Shifting body position while doing the movement helps them build the right muscle memory without having to focus on constantly thinking about their knees and feet. They can even continue rotating all the way until they are on their front, while maintaining steady kicks.

Practice, Practice and Practice

Learning the proper technique is just the first step towards learning how to kick properly. But to start kicking naturally, beginners need plenty of practice. Whether using a kickboard to focus on legs only, or with full body movement, practicing helps strengthen muscles and builds muscle memory. Constant practice helps swimmers reach the point where they kick properly without having to think about it.

Drills to Improve Flutter Kicks

Besides the drills I already mentioned above, like rotation kicks, kicking on your back, and kicking with a kickboard, there are other drills to help beginners improve their flutter kicks after they've learned the basics.

1. Vertical Kicks

Beginners can start this drill while holding a noodle or a kickboard while kicking to stay upright in deep water. The challenge lies in trying to maintain their position without using arms. Once they feel comfortable with the movement, they can try it again without floating devices.

2. Fins

Fins add resistance and force proper ankle movement. Swimming with fins requires more effort and may feel awkward at first. So make sure your students are ready for this kind of exercise first.

3. Kick Counts

This simple drill helps beginners gain better control of their leg movements and increase their propulsion with each kick. The idea is to count the number of flutter kicks they need to finish one lap and then aim to cover the same distance with fewer kicks until they reach their minimum number of kicks possible.

Why Typical Instructions Don't Work

Teaching Flutter Kicks: The One Key Instruction Every Swimming Coach Needs to Know

30 May 2025

If you are a swimming teacher, you understand the challenges of teaching beginners to move in ways that feel new to them. For many beginners, being in a new environment and adjusting to moving differently makes them struggle with learning basic swimming moves. Flutter kicks are one of these challenges that you wish had an easy fix. I've been there, and I struggled for days to help my students kick correctly, but I lacked the right instructions.

How Beginners Typically Kick

Beginners typically kick from their knees, as if riding a bicycle. This kick doesn't generate enough thrust to propel them forward. It just makes them waist their energy splashing on the spot. Beginners often kick with stiff feet, which reduces the surface area and doesn't really push water. Another common mistake is kicking too wide, or applying equal force up and down, which also fails to propel them forward.

Please note that the information provided on this blog is for educational purposes only. While we strive to offer accurate and reliable content, always consult with a certified swim instructor or healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance.