The eggbeater kick is a style of kicking where the swimmer's legs alternate one-legged breaststrokekicks. This form provides continuous support because there is no break in the kick. The eggbeater kick allows the swimmer to freely use their hands, remain stable in the water without swaying, maintain a constantvertical position, and. However, it can cause knee problems due to the circular rotation of the knee joint.
Applications
The eggbeater kick is used in several different types of swimming activities.
Sports
Water polo players use this style of kick so their hands can be free to shoot, pass, dribble and control the ball. Water polo players need to perfect the eggbeater kick to have success. Goalkeepers must be able to do this especially as they need to have the power to get to the ball.
Synchronized swimming uses this style of kick so they can perform other important skills that require stabilization. The eggbeater kick allows the swimmers to lift teammates out of the water.
Lifesaving
Lifeguards use this kick because it allows greater stabilization of the upper body and use of hands to rescue victims.
Technique
In a schematized manner, a swimmer treading water using the eggbeater kick is:
rotates the legs towards himself, in opposite timing, such as that the left leg moves clockwise, and the rightcounterclockwise.
Swimmers learning this stroke naturally use their hands to scull and tread water, as they attempt to achieve sufficient lift from the kick to remain afloat. The eggbeater kick can be seen as sculling with the legs, as it relies on the same fundamental physics.
Physics
The eggbeater kick propels swimmers in an upward direction. The swimmer rotates his or her legs circularly while keeping their feet arched and angled, causing water above their foot to move faster than the water under their foot. This difference in pressure between the moving water and the surrounding water creates a force, propelling the swimmer upwards. The faster the swimmer's feet move, the more upward propulsion he or she receives.
