Warm up
See PRE-SWOD
Skills & drills Sidekick

This drill teaches you how to streamline and balance your body, and helps you with your breathing. During the sidekick you are kicking with one arm in front, one arm by your side, while rotated. It is the perfect drill to perfect your body rotation during swimming. Use fins if needed.

How to do it 


  • Start on your stomach with one arm stretched out in front of you, the other arm along your body

  • Kick with a steady pace

  • Now slowly turn to the side, but keep looking down towards the bottom of the pool

  • At this point one shoulder is lifted out of the water. Your hips and legs are also turned to the side

  • Gently turn your head sideways to breath. Make sure you breathe out underwater

Focus points 


  • Starting position: 1 arm in front, 1 arm next to body

  • Kick steady and face down towards the bottom of the pool

  • Breathe in by turning your head sideways (do not lift)

  • Keep your core tight and your feet up

Coach tip

Alternate the side kick with swimming freestyle. Your arm recovery and breathing should feel much easier.

Equipment:

fins
Coach tips

COACH TIP

Using breathing restrictions as an intensity interval works wonders. Make sure to adapt your breathing to your rhythm. When restricted, breathe out less in the first 2 strokes and then start exhaling little puffs. Figure out what works best for you and your lungs to stay relaxed.

More coach tips?

coach tips
Pre set 1 ROUND distance: 600
stroke pace rest
1 x 300M Mix Easy 60s
Mix strokes
6 x 50M Drill Easy 20s
25 sidekick, 25 freestyle (see instructions)
rest after round: 0s

Instructions See instruction video: Sidekick

Equipment Fins

Main set 1 ROUND distance: 1000
stroke pace rest
1 x 300M Freestyle Easy 30s
4 x 50M Freestyle Easy 30s
breathe every 3rd stroke (bilateral)
1 x 200M Freestyle Easy 30s
4 x 50M Freestyle Easy 30s
breathe every 5th stroke (bilateral)
1 x 100M Freestyle Easy s
rest after round: 0s

Equipment Fins

Post set 1 ROUND distance: 300
stroke pace rest
6 x 50M Freestyle-kick Negative split 30s
25 easy + 25 steady pace

Instructions Stretch your arms and try to breathe constantly with your head up.

Equipment Kick board