dolphin kick
{{Short description|Swimming style}}
File:Michael-Phelps-dolphin-kick.png performing a dolphin kick.]]
The dolphin kick is a kicking movement used in swimming. It is frequently used by competitive swimmers during entry and turns, and as part of the Butterfly stroke.{{Cite journal |last1=Cohen |first1=Raymond C. Z. |last2=Cleary |first2=Paul W. |last3=Mason |first3=Bruce R. |date=2012-06-01 |title=Simulations of dolphin kick swimming using smoothed particle hydrodynamics |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167945711001023 |journal=Human Movement Science |volume=31 |issue=3 |pages=604–619 |doi=10.1016/j.humov.2011.06.008 |pmid=21840077 |issn=0167-9457|url-access=subscription }}
Description
The dolphin kick is named for its resemblance to the motions made by a swimming dolphin. It is typically used in competitive swimming immediately after a swimmer enters the water or after turns. The swimmer performs the kick by moving both legs together, vertically, which sends a wave through the swimmer's body, propelling them forward.{{Cite journal |last1=Loebbecke |first1=Alfred von |last2=Mittal |first2=Rajat |last3=Fish |first3=Frank |last4=Mark |first4=Russell |date=2009-02-01 |title=A comparison of the kinematics of the dolphin kick in humans and cetaceans |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016794570800081X |journal=Human Movement Science |volume=28 |issue=1 |pages=99–112 |doi=10.1016/j.humov.2008.07.005 |pmid=18986721 |issn=0167-9457|url-access=subscription }}
The stroke is useful in competitive swimming for its physical properties: it reduces drag while providing a significant amount of thrust, with comparatively low physical exertion.
In competitive breaststroke swimming, a single dolphin kick is allowed before the breaststroke pullout at the start and each turn, and it must be performed before the first breaststroke kick. This kick should occur after the swimmer leaves the wall and before the hands turn inward at the widest part of the stroke. Additional dolphin kicks during the swim are prohibited and can result in disqualification.{{Cite web |last=Carlson |first=Reid |date=2020-03-27 |title=Kosuke Kitajima and the Dolphin Kicks That Changed Breaststroke Forever |url=https://swimswam.com/kosuke-kitajima-and-the-dolphin-kicks-that-changed-breaststroke-forever/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=SwimSwam |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jared |date=2015-06-25 |title=INSTANT ANALYSIS: NCAA adopts FINA rules on underwater breaststroke pullouts |url=https://swimswam.com/ncaa-adopts-new-fina-rules-on-underwater-breaststroke-pullouts/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=SwimSwam |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2018-02-15 |title=Breaststroke Pullout Rules |url=https://www.swimmingscience.net/breaststroke-pullout-rules/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Swimming Science |language=en-US}}
History
The dolphin kick gained prominence during the 1988 Olympics, where several competitors used the dolphin kick extensively at their starts in the 100m backstroke final. In response, the FINA limited the use of the dolphin kick to 15 meters.{{Cite web |last=Mortenson |first=J. P. |date=2023-01-20 |title=How the Underwater Dolphin Kick Evolved Over Time and Revolutionized the Sport |url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/how-the-underwater-dolphin-kick-evolved-and-revolutionized-the-sport/ |access-date=2023-12-25 |website=Swimming World News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Binns |first=Corey |date=2008-08-01 |title=How It Works: The Dolphin Kick |url=https://www.popsci.com/how-it-works/article/2008-08/how-it-works-dolphin-kick/ |access-date=2023-12-25 |website=Popular Science |language=en-US}}
Technique and Training
A growing body of research has explored the biomechanics and performance characteristics of the dolphin kick, emphasizing the importance of kick timing, undulation, and vertical toe speed for propulsion.{{Cite journal |last1=Atkinson |first1=G. |last2=Dickey |first2=J. P. |last3=Dragunas |first3=A. |last4=Nolte |first4=V. |title=Importance of sagittal kick symmetry for underwater dolphin kick performance |journal=Journal of Biomechanics |publisher=Elsevier |year=2014 |volume=47 |issue=6 |pages=1441–1446 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167945713001565 |access-date=2025-06-02 |doi=10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.01.010}} Dryland exercises, core training, resisted swimming, and technique-focused sets are commonly used to enhance kick performance {{Cite web |last=Poirier-Leroy |first=Olivier |date=2025 |title=The Dolphin Kick Manual: The Swimmer’s Ultimate Guide to a Fast Underwater Dolphin Kick |url=https://www.yourswimlog.com/the-dolphin-kick-manual |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=YourSwimLog.com |publisher=Lane 6 Publishing |isbn=978-0-9812691-7-7}}.
References
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