What a scissor kick is
A scissor kick is when the legs open sideways during the kick, like the blades of a pair of scissors.
In freestyle it most often happens as you turn to breathe, when the legs split apart to keep you balanced.
Why it costs you
Legs that open sideways widen the shape you push through the water, so the scissor acts like a brake.
It also lets the hips drop for a moment on every breath, and the stroke has to recover from it.
How to fix it
Keep the kick narrow, with the legs close and the big toes almost brushing, even on the breathing stroke.
A scissor usually follows rolling too far to breathe, so roll only as far as the breath needs and keep one goggle in the water.
One drill to try
- Kick on your side with the lower arm stretched forward and the top arm resting on your hip.
- Then swim six kicks, one stroke, six kicks, rolling to the other side each time.
- Keep the legs together through every roll, and breathe to both sides.
How to film it so Llyr can read it
Film this one head-on. Stand your phone on the deck at the end of your lane, facing you, and swim toward it.
The legs open sideways, which a side-on camera sees end-on, so the width of the kick only shows from the front. Llyr shows you how to frame the shot.
Already have a clip? You can import a video you filmed earlier. Read the full filming guide.
What you see in Llyr
When the legs open sideways on stroke after stroke, Llyr names it Scissor kick and shows it on a still from your own video.
Its glyph is a band: two dashed rails mark the width of your body, and a ring shows the point that sits outside them.
The cue to take into your next set is Keep the kick narrow.
If you also roll a long way, read how much to rotate in freestyle.
Llyr is a second set of eyes, not a coach. Check each correction on the replay, and if your coach sees it differently, go with your coach.