Hey everyone, I've been finning for a couple months now. About a month ago I think I finally got the technique down and have been finning about two times a week. I usually do 1000-1500yds. I have shown very little progress as far as times or or simply feeling easier. My hip flexors get smoked around 500yds if that; and my form starts to break down especially when on my left side I feel that I start to sink. I also notice that I start to use a small arm pull on that side with my trail arm (is that allowed?). I leave for basic in 6 wks. I will be unemployed for the last 4; so I will be able to hit the pool daily if necessary. Any suggestions on how often I should fin and what type of Workouts I should do (distance, sprints, dry land exercises, etc.) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for responses. Also, I am going into CCT not that makes a difference other than no Indoc.

Sacks,
finning is something that will focus on technique and endurance... It can make a seasoned swimmer tired.

Only advice I can give you is what I used to do what I swam competitvely. Try alternating your Workouts by:

Day 1 - 1000 m fin swim, but every 100 m, get out and do 20 flutter kicks (4 count of course).

Day 2 - don't go for time, do finning strictly for your technique.

Day 3 - 1000 m but do it in sets of 50 m, and sprint 25 and come back slow and smooth.

You get the idea, be sure you're hitting it in every way poissible, and don't neglect your other areas of training.

I hope this helps, and best of luck to you!

Don't overthink this Sacks, bOmberO is correct when he says that finning focuses on technique and endurance. Get the form down to where it is second nature, no effort to maintain good form. Once you have the form perfected, just fin. Not for speed, that will come naturally after a while.

Now, since you say you have already been finning for a couple months and you are still having trouble I would step it up to finning 4-5 times a week until you are more confident. Then maintain at least three times a week until you depart for BMT.

Hope this helps, and don't worry you will get it.

In case you haven't seen this video, check it out. It may help your form:
http://pjcountry.blogspot.com/2008/03/blog-post.html

Was informed that the video may not load on the above link so here's alternate link:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=V9w-L85511w

good luck

I see, from watching the video, that you have your front arm fixed out in front and trail the other -also fixed; however, on other websites it states that you are allowed to reach out and pull with the trailing arm (i.e. UDT recovery stroke) for the timed swims. Can anyone who truly knows deny/confirm. Thanks.

At Indoc you will use the leading arm, trailing arm technique for all evals. The UDT recovery stroke is primarily used during weight belt swims. Once you get to dive school you will use the recovery stroke for all surface swims.

hey guys, I know this is an old post but im having trouble finning and was wondering the proper technique for your legs? Are they wide long strokes or are they short fast kicks like the ones used in a freestlye swim? Thank you very much

Gregg

Do smooth steady kicks. Short choppy ones are a waste of motion in my opinion. And if you make your kicks too long, you will also tire yourself quickly. Find that nice smooth in between motion.

ok thanks for the advice im going to the pool today to fin so i will work on that

I have another question in regards to technique.

Every month or so my DEP flight gets together with a retired PJ to do either pool Workouts or take the PAST test. After asking for advice in regards to finning he instructed me to keep my knees completely locked. In the video posted by LetsRoll you can see that the PJ has his knees bent throughout the entire 50m. Which technique is recommended, bent knees or locked or does it matter?
Like always, thanks for the help!

You want to kick from the hips so you should keep the legs straight but I don't think there is much harm in a slight knee bend, in fact it could help. You don't want to bend your knees too much because it will break up your streamline and slow you down.

I appreciate the help but i'm looking for a definite answer (assuming there is one), not "I think" or "it could".

There isn't one...practice, use what works for you, it is impossible for anyone to give anything but "I think" answers because we're not there watching your swim technique...so practice, see what feels right, then concentrate on getting faster. I never fully lock my knees...some guys might...I used pretty short kicks at indoc, but taller guys used longer kicks...there is no right answer...

Thank you both for your input. I'll test out different techniques and see what works best.