Finning basics

[anthropisces]

I've been reading the section in Umberto's book on finning. It seems he is saying that on the return stroke that the leg should be straight with the toes pointed. For the advance stroke the leg is bent and then extended (also with toes pointed).

Have I got this generally correct? It does seem to make sense. If the knee or ankle is bent during the return stroke the fin would generate minimal thrust.

I want to become an efficient finner to make the most of my breathold during spearfishing.

 

[azapa]

i am not sure that I have your exact question straight. but the kick should come from the hip and "follow through" to the full extension with your toes pointed. Think a bit like kicking a football: it does not come from the knee

 

[anthropisces]

What about the return? The leg should be pointed all the way to the toes according to what Im reading.

 

[sai]

I was also told to keep the legs straight during the whole movement and just generate the kick from my hip. But when I watch movies of Herbert Nitsch, Stefan Mifsud, etc. it really looks like they're bending their knees.

 

[esom]

1. well, videos that are reflecting outstanding funktionality are showing differences in kneeangle over time.

2.some people seem to improve their kicking alongside being told "keep straight, solely from the hips..." (that was the context, you were referring to - with the accordent desired* outcome?)

i see no contradiction or problem with this


*it seems that for the second point to turn out to be true, contexts must not be confused, because otherwise you end up confused.

 

[anthropisces]

I do endeavour to fin from hip rotation. Im working on a straight leg return stroke and an advance stroke which employs a bent knee which is straightened to generate thrust.

 

[azapa]

when you finish the forward kick a common mistake is NOT to fully straighten the leg. The "pointing toes" thing will more be a function of your foot pocket angle: they will naturally point on a full extension. Soft and long freediving fins (the best) need slow, controlled, FULL amplitude movements in the power phase to work nicely; that classic hour glass shape.

 

[nenrandir]

does anyone know of a youtube video w someone showing off excellent bifin technique? would be helpful!

 

[watts]

Check out Tom Sietas dynamic dives . Was way ahead of everyone else at the time.
I hear SSI is bringing back bifins discipline in their comps.

 

[Simos]

I found the finning section in Umberto's book very good - points out lots of common mistakes and in general makes you have some of these in mind when practicing.

If you think about the return movement it's obvious that if the knee/ankle are bent you won't be displacing water ie your foot will just be moving through water heel first and the fin blade won't be generating thrust.

Having said this I think it's important not to be too stiff/rigid when finning - if your foot is cramping it's probably a sign you are trying too hard to keep toes straight.

If (like me) you haven't got enough strength to fin properly with long fins, try practicing for a while with rubber fins and focus on getting the movement right. Might help if you get someone to film you at some point and post it here to get some feedback - even watching it yourself I am sure will give you lots of insight on what can be improved...

 

[RPGgrenade]

this reminds me of the whole problems with kicking in general Swimming. They always say to kick with legs straight and toes pointed (which usually leads to a lot of cramping), but what it really means is that they know you can't do that kick perfectly straight, since it isn't meant to be perfectly straight, but starting out with that idea usually evolves into a more fluid, efficient, small yet flexible kick with a lot of power if done from the hips (reason they say to keep the legs straight), and bending the knees will usually acompany this but in minimal efficient amounts.
As for freediving i'd assume that if your knees are bent on the return or between kicks or whatever it would just cause drag, maybe that's what it meant.

 

[uw_ikarus]

As far as I understood the point is to avoid a circular movement, i e., "bicycling", where you just drag the fin through the water without moving the water. I found swimming exercises - with a dish, and only moving the legs - extremely helpful. With an incorrect movement one doesn't advance at all !