Kicking
Kicking is an integral part of swimming. When doing a kick set, you can kick with or without a kick board. Butterfly and Freestyle kick can either be done on your back in a streamline position, on your side with one arm outstretched, on your stomach with both arms in a streamline position, or with a board. Backstroke kick is always done on your back in a streamline position. Breaststroke kick is done with a board or on your stomach with arms in a streamline position. Below are a few videos that may be helpful:
See our kicking page for info and videos on different types of kicks.
Pulling
Pulling is swimming without any kick, using only the arms for forward momentum. Pulling is designed to allow you to focus on upper body technique and power. Putting a pull buoy between your legs will allow you to do this while maintaining body position. Pulling can be done with or without paddles (for more information on that, read our blog post about when it is best to use paddles.)
Go here for a short video of what pulling looks like.