While we've covered this many times before, it seems there's always a need to rehash that a "straight leg flutter kick" really doens't mean you don't bend your legs.

**Why do it:**
A slight bend in the leg in the flutter kick is necessary for a proper flutter kick and provides the foot with greater speed as it attempts to aid in moving you forward.

**How to do it:**
**1)**  While the goal of swim teachers in the use of the words "straight leg" is to get people to stop kicking with a too bent knee, this is not a literal term... it's a teaching term and should be called "straighter leg".
**2)**  All of these great swimmers illustrate the meaning of a straight leg flutter.  They keep most of their thigh shallow, and hidden behind the body creating a nice, straight line through their torso to the thigh.
**3)**  The knees bends the back of the calf upwards, again, behind the body, hiding the resistance of the set up of the kick.
**4)**  Finish the kick with a short, sharp snap of the foot to full extension and NOW a straight leg.

**How to do it really well (the fine points):**
When you watch these swimmers, notice a very important aspect of a great flutter kick... ankel flexibility.  Each swimmer finishes with a pointed toe while dragging some air back into the water with the foot.  The air that is accompanied with the foot enhances the foot speed required for a quick, consistant kick to be maintained.

Remember, "straight" doesn't really mean STRAIGHT... it means straigter when referring to your flutter kick.

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Freestyle - Straighter Leg Flutter Kick