Dolphin Kick; Which is faster: Front or Side?

Question

I have been swimming for 7 years now and I've always been a butterflyer. My best event is the 50 fly. My coach for high school has me swim the 100 fly and the 50 at our 1 sprint meet.

My goal, for summer league, is to get into the top 10 for my age group (15-18) and the slowest time is a 32. This is within my abilities to get to (my best time is a 33.52, I believe).

I've been doing it on my stomach , but my back just doesn't allow me to do it correctly. I learn my stroke by watching (I'm about 80% self taught) upper level swimmers and a lot of them do their dolphin kick on their side.

My coaches for summer league are horrible (I'm older than all but about 2 of them), so they aren't much help as I know more than they do. I also have an extremely tight steam line. So, my question is: Which is faster underwater? Front or Side? And, would it be beneficial for me to be doing it on my side or should I do what I've been doing for the past 7 years and stay on my stomach?

Answer 1

Michael Phelps Starts on his side then transitions onto his stomach. Watch the Olympic trials.

Answer 2

The best body position for underwater dolphin kicks depends on you.  If you get better forward and backward propulsion on your back than on your side, stick with that.  For a lot of swimmers kicking on their side allows them to feel the water being manipulated in both directions.  Hopefully your coaches can at least work a stop watch.  Have them time some 15 meter sprints from a push on both your back and side and see what's better for you.

Answer 3

i think side is faster off the turn but don't waste the energy to turn to your side off the start.  push off from the wall on you side.  good luck! :)

Answer 4

on your stomach is faster and the things you should work on are your fundamentals

for one, try not to breath for the first 25 and breath only 1 time or so for the 2nd 25, this will really help shave some time off, also, try to do the entire 15 meters that are legal of every wall, especially off the turn after the 1st 25, you will be tired, but its just a 50, have small, fast, and strong kicks off every wall and have powerful EFFICIENT strokes