**Solving Technique Issues from the Legs with Jonty Skinner**

Jonty’s World Record

<https://youtu.be/Ig4dJiVNxVs?si=5Uypi57yGy-6TTqR&t=143>

**Monday - Vertical Flutter Kick**

A strong kick sets the foundation for everything that follows. Keep your toes pointed, legs long, and remember — it’s a *straighter* leg, not a locked one. A small knee bend is exactly what you want. Use flotation if needed and focus on control.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2974-vertical-kick>

**Tuesday - Advanced Freestyle #10: Freestyle Sprint Kick**

A strong freestyle sprint starts with a steady **6-beat kick** — six downbeats per stroke cycle that drive rotation, rhythm, and speed. When the arms move correctly, the kick often falls into place naturally. Fix the timing, add force, and watch your sprint take off.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1822-advanced-freestyle-swim-lesson-10-freestyle-sprint-kick>

**Wednesday - Auger Drill for Kick**

The **Auger Drill** teaches swimmers how power comes from connection — not just kicking or pulling alone. By creating a strong body twist and linking the catch to the kick, you generate instant forward momentum and learn how to sync the 2-beat kick with full-body rotation.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3246-auger-drill-for-kick>

**Thursday - Loud Synced Kick**

Turn up the energy and feel the connection. This phase emphasizes a **dynamic two-beat kick** by pairing opposite arm and leg movements to create powerful hip drive. Start slow, focus on coordination, and use big, splashy movements to understand how cross-body timing builds a more connected freestyle.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3247-loud-synced-kick>

**Friday - The Kick Drives the Rotation**

Elite sprinting starts from the legs. ⚡️

Roland’s explosive 6-beat kick fuels his rotation, hand extension, and tempo — proving that a relentless, connected kick is the engine behind world-class speed.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/449-the-kick-drives-the-rotation>

**Saturday - Constant Continuous Kick**

A strong freestyle — especially a galloping sprint stroke — demands a **constant, continuous kick**. Keep it small, tight, and driven from the hips to maintain body position and generate forward momentum. Build ankle flexibility, train the kick within your full stroke, and remember: the legs should always be moving.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/352-constant-continuous-kick>

**Sunday - Matt Targett - Sprint Flutter Kick**

Speed starts with the kick. Matt’s **narrow, consistent 6-beat flutter kick** stabilizes his hips and creates the foundation for high-speed freestyle. With elite ankle flexibility and a snapping finish on each downbeat, every kick delivers maximum propulsion.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1769-matt-targett-sprint-flutter-kick>

Session Chat:

12:02:20 From John McGowan : Congratulations on your 200th session

12:02:33 From Barbara Hummel : Thank you, John!

12:06:36 From Glenn : Jonty’s World Record

https://youtu.be/Ig4dJiVNxVs?si=5Uypi57yGy-6TTqR\&t=143

12:13:03 From Coach Dan . : yes

12:15:41 From melinda wolff : so the "closed joint" is when the foot goes into a flexion vs. a "pointed" position?

12:16:21 From Coach Dan . : half acrobatic turn

12:16:34 From Barbara Hummel : yes, melinda I believe that’s what he means

12:17:58 From erinne guthrie : Can we see it not in slow mo 1 x?

12:18:34 From erinne guthrie : thanks

12:18:42 From erinne guthrie : Super flat

12:20:51 From Milorad Cavic : Kicking down with the right foot should force his right hip down to go up, yes, but are 50 freestylers rotating much from the hips?

12:21:00 From melinda wolff : So, what is the cue you would give Matt to address that?

12:22:23 From Milorad Cavic : Every 3rd kick is supposed to rotate the hip, then the shoulder, then the arms. “Ground-> Up Approach,” but is that equally true for 50 freestylers which are more shoulder driven?

12:22:57 From erinne guthrie : Are those waves going over him as well?

12:23:01 From Beth Baker : Have a good drill to work on that?

12:23:45 From Robin McQuinn : I think Sarah Sjoestroem is also really flat in Free. I think Free needs flat hips to get faster than Hull Speed (motor boat mode)

12:24:03 From Zach Mertens : His kick appears to be pretty quad dominant with a more passive upkick. Could the overpowering downbeat with a lack of upkick help explain the lack of hip rotation because the lack of downkick?

12:24:19 From Mark Hesse : Reacted to "His kick appears to ..." with 👍

12:25:13 From Zach Mertens : Is it easier to generate lift with flatter hips?

12:25:28 From Zach Mertens : Or, at least, maintain lift on the exit of the breakout?

12:27:42 From erinne guthrie : Do we get to see someone doing it well?

12:28:38 From Milorad Cavic : I’m clearly not smart enough to find a flaw in Roland’s Foot-Hip-Shoulder-Pull sequence. Could you try to resummarize the timing or sequence that we’re trying to achieve? Maybe a drill sequence?

12:33:13 From erinne guthrie : This guy also has better balance his hips are much higher and his legs are straighter. Is ankle flexibility ever assessed?

12:33:14 From melinda wolff : seems to me that swimmer should probably not "flick" his foot at the end of the kick in order to avoid "closed joint"?

12:35:17 From Zach Mertens : that hydro-freestyle entry

12:39:23 From Mark Hesse : upkick is one of the least taught skills in swimming

12:39:35 From Zach Mertens : Reacted to "upkick is one of the..." with 👏

12:40:49 From Mark Hesse : it's because you're a breaststroker Glenn

12:41:09 From Glenn : Reacted to "it's because you're ..." with 😃

12:43:35 From Coach Dan . : do you have similar timing videos for Fly and Back?

12:54:14 From Kate Le Fevre : Thanks! Kate

12:57:11 From melinda wolff : His L foot is flexed at the upkick-to-downkick, isn't it??

13:05:02 From Mark Hesse : foundational skill development. If you skip steps you have to go back at some point or you create a performance ceiling

13:05:13 From Glenn : Reacted to "foundational skill d..." with ❤️

13:06:14 From Bron Hill : Brilliant, thanks very much

13:06:18 From Nicole Linn : This was fantastic

13:06:25 From Glenn : Reacted to "This was fantastic" with ❤️

13:06:35 From Glenn : Replying to "This was fantastic"

Give Jeremy a big hug from us!

13:06:49 From Zach Mertens : The deeper the leg gets, the more it has to kick against!

13:06:53 From Nicole Linn : Replying to "This was fantastic"

☺️will do!!!

13:07:03 From Milorad Cavic : Reacted to "The deeper the leg g..." with ❤️

13:07:04 From Mark Hesse : Reacted to "The deeper the leg g..." with ❤️

13:08:05 From Coach Dan . : Reacted to "foundational skill d..." with ❤️

13:13:40 From Nemanja Colic : What are the closed joint positions you look for in BR?

13:13:59 From Jim Crampton : Thank you Jonty and Glenn. Jonty, always great to learn from you. Thanks for your time.

13:14:10 From Nemanja Colic : Exactly

13:14:14 From Karen Rose : Free kick drill with a board, heels under the entire time to train?

13:14:46 From Ellie Abihider : Fabulous!!! Please…more of this depth…!!!! So enlightening!!

13:14:53 From helen naylor : ballerinas would make good breaststrokers!

13:14:59 From Coach Dan . : If you do pidgin toed kicking, does that make it harder to do that flexing?

What are the drawback with pidgin toed kicking?

13:15:01 From Barbara Hummel : Thank you Jonty. I learned so much. And much to think about

13:15:24 From Mandi Bell : Thank you!

13:15:26 From Dave Allen : Thank you! Awesome info!

13:15:49 From Nicole Linn : Thank you!!!

13:15:54 From Coach Dan . : thank you

13:15:55 From FW : Thanks from Kuala Lumpur..

13:15:55 From Robin McQuinn : Thanks~


Feb 3, 2026 - Solving Technique Issues from the Legs with Jonty Skinner

Underwater views of Roland's amazing flutter kick.

Constant, and narrow, Roland keeps his kick within the narrow shadow of his body. He also has incredible ankle flexibility, which swimmers can gain through dryland work, as well as training occasionally with fins.

The [**FINIS Zoomer**](http://www.swimoutlet.com/SearchResults.asp?Click=1041437\&Search=FINIS+Zoomers+Gold+Swim+Fins) fin is a good example of a fin that demands constant activity from the legs.


Freestyle Flutter Kick Underwater - Roland

**Jan. 27, 2026 - What do officials look for?**

We’ll take a close-up look at some of the primary things officials look for: two-hand, simultaneous touches on the breast and fly; the head breaking the surface before the first insweep during the underwater pullout; toe placement on the backstroke start; and the sequencing of the underwater pullout.  Join us for this unique opportunity to speak with an elite-level official.

 

**Monday**

**Denniston Turns & Pullouts:  Step #1 – The Approach**

How do officials differentiate between a legal and non-legal touch in breaststroke?

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/880-step-1-the-approach>

 

**Tuesday**

**Open Turn Work:  Progression Summary**

What keeps an open turn legal?

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2686-progression-summary>

 

**Wednesday**

**Martin Liivimagi:  Breaststroke Underwater Pullout**

At what exact moment does the first arm pull officially begin?

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1788-martin-liivamagi-breaststroke-underwater-pull>

 

**Thursday**

**Brendan McHugh: Turns – Hot-Hand Open Turn**

How to develop a fast – and legal – touch in breaststroke and butterfly.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2187-turns-hot-hand-open-turn>

 

**Friday**

**Denniston Turns & Pullouts: Step #5 – The Breakout**

For a legal pullout, the head must break the surface before the start of the insweep of the first stroke.  Here’s what legal looks like.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/892-step-5-the-breakout>

 

**Saturday**

**James Guy: Butterfly Turn**

How to have a lightning-fast and legal butterfly turn.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2607-butterfly-turn>

 

**Sunday**

**Conner Oslin: Backstroke Wedge Start**

How do officials interpret “toes must be below the surface” on the backstroke start?

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2755-backstroke-wedge-start>


Jan. 27, 2026 - What do officials look for?

**Searching for the Magic “W” in Your Breaststroke Kick**

**Dave Salo**

**5 Time Olympic Coach**

**GoSwim Athletes Coached by Dave Salo**

*   Amanda Beard
*   Dave Denniston
*   Staciana Winfield
*   Jessica Hardy
*   Jason Lezak
*   Scott Tucker
*   Eric Shanteau
*   Ricky Berens

The trend in breaststroke is toward a narrow kick.  There’s variation in how far the feet extend outside the body cylinder, but there’s agreement that the knees should be narrow, with the feet extending wider than the knees, and the legs forming a “W” in the water.  This week we discuss how to develop a narrow, powerful kick.

 

**Monday**

**Amanda Beard: Finish Your Kick**

Even though the chapter focuses on how well Amanda finishes her kick, there are plenty of instances that point out how amazing she is at getting into the W style of kick set up we’re looking for in today’s style of great breaststroke.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/527-finish-your-kick>

JUMP TO KATE - 43.09

JUMP TO ZAC - 43.25 - 11560 (compare) - 15050

Video 3 Dave and Staciana

**Tuesday**

**Glenn: Breaststroke Kick Width**

Glenn demonstrates four variations of the breaststroke kick, ending with “knees narrow, feet wide” – the classic “W” shape.  He shows how to use a pull buoy to train knees, narrow, feet wide.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3267-breaststroke-kick-width>

**Wednesday**

**Davo Drills:  Wall Kick**

By holding your body close to the wall, your knees automatically stay narrow and in line with your shoulders, and the kick happens behind your body, forming the magic “W.”

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/183-wall-kick>

**Thursday**

**Glenn: Grab the Heels Kick**

After practicing breaststroke kick with your belly against the wall, try this next: breaststroke kick on your back, grabbing the heels with your hands.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2925-breaststroke-grab-the-heels-kick>

 

**Friday**

**Drill: Breaststroke Kick on Your Back with Pull Buoy**

From grabbing the heels, progress to not grabbing the heels but recovering the legs BEHIND the body.  Check yourself on the fine points: not stopping and surging and not bobbing up and down.  Think about the legs forming a “W” shape.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2179-breaststroke-kick-on-back>

**Saturday**

**Haufler Breasatstroke:  The Problem – Knees Too Wide**

Steve Haufler has a huge bag of tricks for correcting a too-wide breaststroke kick.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1500-the-problem-knees-too-wide>

**Sunday**

**PDF Fins Breaststroke Kick – Annotated**

We love using PDFins to help swimmers reduce resistance in all areas of the breaststroke kick – from the setup to the delivery.  Check out the overhead footage for this swimmer’s narrow knees and wide feet.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2588-pdf-fins-breaststroke-kick-annotated>


Jan. 20, 2026 - Magic “W” in Your Breaststroke Kick  

**Favorite Drills of World-Class Breaststrokers**

**Anita Nall**

1992 Olympic Team

Gold Medal 400 Medley Relay

Silver Medal 100 Breast

Bronze Medal 200 Breast

**Jeremy Linn**

1996 Olympic Team

Gold Medal 400 Medley Relay

Silver Medal 100 Breast

**Roque Santos**

1992 Olympic Trials Champion

**Susie Jones Roy**

1968 Olympic Team - Swam prelims on the relay which won the Gold

 

We’ve heard there’s some debate about whether breaststrokers are the best looking and the smartest.  But there’s no debate:  Breaststrokers have all the best drills.  This week we turn to GoSwim’s world-class breaststrokers to learn their go-to drills for honing technique.  Join us!

 

**Monday**

**Jessica Hardy: Breaststroke Fists**

Swimming breaststroke fists takes away the catch element of your hands and puts the focus on your forearms to catch water.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1305-fist-drill-breaststroke>

**Tuesday**

**Roque Santos: Pull-Buoy Kick**

Pull-Buoy Kick imprints narrow knees in breaststroke kick.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/497-pull-buoy-kick>

**Wednesday**

**Dave Denniston Drills:  Pulse Breaststroke**

Besides being FUN, Pulse Breaststroke helps you develop a flowing and propulsive hip movement in breaststroke.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/191-pulse-breaststroke>

 

**Thursday**

**Brendan McHugh: 2 Down/1 Up**

Brendan McHugh uses 2 Down/1 Up Breaststroke to discover and understand the bodyline needed for effective breaststroke.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1989-breaststroke-2-down-1-up>

 

**Friday**

**Carlos Almeida: Vertical Scull and Pulldown**

Carlos Almeida goes vertical to work on his breaststroke scull, timing, and explosive power for his underwater pulldown.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1251-drill-vertical-scull-pulldown>

**Saturday**

**Brendan Hansen: Head-Up Breaststroke**

Brendan Hansen uses Head-Up Breaststroke to develop fast hand speed and overall breaststroke timing.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/260-head-up-breaststroke>

 

**Sunday**

**Amanda Beard: Drills**

Amanda shares her four favorite drills for improving feel for the water.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/543-drills>


Jan. 13, 2026 - Favorite Drills of World-Class Breaststrokers

How to Teach Breath Control and Rhythmic Breathing

 

This week we pay homage to the late Pierre Gruneberg, one of the world’s most innovative and successful swimming instructors, who encouraged his students to blow bubbles, hum, and sing to overcome their fear of the water.  If you teach beginners of any age, don’t miss this one!

 

**Monday**

**Breathing in the Water: Humming in the Water**

Two common reasons people are uncomfortable putting their face in the water:  They don’t like getting water up their nose…and they’re not aware of how long their exhale can last.  Humming can help!

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3227-humming>

 

**Tuesday**

**Breathing in the Water:  Singing in the Water**

Singing in the water, helps beginners control their exhale and helps them control the sinuses and nose.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3228-singing-in-the-water>

 

**Wednesday**

**Early Concepts & Skills: Inhale through the Mouth…Exhale through the Nose**

Basic but not always obvious to beginners:  Air comes in through the mouth…out through the nose.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2971-inhale-through-mouth-exhale-through-nose>

 

**Thursday**

**Early Concepts & Skills: Standing Bobs Holding the Wall**

Once beginners master in through the mouth…out through the nose, make it rhythmic with standing bobs.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2970-satnding-bobs-holding-the-wall>

 

**Friday**

**Early Concepts & Skills: Hanging Bobs**

For beginners, breathing progress comes in small steps!

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2972-hanging-bobs>

 

**Saturday**

**Early Concepts & Skills: Streamline Jumps**

Streamline jumps will lead beginning swimmers to mastery of breathing…and will teach other important skills such as streamline and proper pushoff position.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2973-streamline-jumps>

 

**Sunday**

**Haufler Progressions: Freestyle Breathing – Bubbles and Breathe**

After beginners have mastered air control and air exchange, and are comfortable floating, don’t rush right into “swimming.”  Teach them how to breathe by turning the head to the side.  Steve Haufler uses the mantra “bubble arm…breathing arm.”

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/435-freestyle-breathing>

 

**BONUS**

**Haufler Free: Breath Control & Rhythmic Breathing**

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1775-lesson-1-breath-control-and-rhythmic-breathing>

We used this video last week, but it contains really useful drills and progressions for teaching breath control.


Jan. 6, 2026 - Teaching Breathing

**Top-Viewed Athletes of 2025**

 

This week, we feature GoSwim’s most-watched athletes of 2025.  It’s a selection chosen by YOU, and we hope the videos remind you of key themes from our weekly webinars.  Thanks for joining us and supporting our work.  We wish everyone a happy holiday and great swimming in 2025!

 

**Monday**

**Kara Lynn Joyce:  Stun Gun**

It would be a most-watched list without three-time Olympian Kara Lynn Joyce.  Here’s Kara Lynn showing how to apply an Olympic level of focus and control to an everyday drill.  

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/668-bonus-stun-gun>

**Tuesday**

**Steve Haufler Backstroke:  Strapless Paddles**

Strapless paddles are not just for breaststrokers!  Steve shows how they can be used to teach a bent-arm pull in backstroke.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1274-strapless-paddles>

**Wednesday**

**Denniston Drills:  Karla**

Karla combines one stroke of right-arm fly…one stroke left-arm fly…and three stokes breaststroke.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/192-karla-drill>

 

**Thursday**

**Steve Haufler Freestyle:  Freestyle #1 – Breath Control and Rhythmic Breathing**

Steve’s progression for teaching how to breathe with a relaxed, steady rhythm.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1775-lesson-1-breath-control-and-rhythmic-breathing>

 

**Friday**

**Kim Vandenberg: Streamline Kick**

There’s kicking on your back…and kicking on your back with the technique of an Olympian.  This is Kim’s first time on our year-end list, and we wanted to highlight her mastery of the basics.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1519-backstroke-streamline-kick>

 

**Saturday**

**Jason Lezak:  Head On**

This clip has no sound.  Watch Jason’s technique (narrow bodyline, head/eye position, rotation, massive catch) as he swims straight toward the camera.  

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/982-lezak-head-on>

 

**Sunday**

**Steve Haufler Butterfly: Butterfly Breathing**

Our most-watched video of 2025 was Steve Haufler’s Butterfly Basics.  In this video, Steve shares his secret for teaching butterfly breathing:  teaching “the two befores.” 

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/143-butterfly-breathing>


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