Frog Kick: How to Master doing the Scuba Frog Kick

greatdivers.com
The frog kick is the kick which is best used for most of the diving we do. The frog kick resembles the kick a breaststroke swimmer uses. If you have ever seen a frog moving in the water, you'll know why this kick is named after our amphibian friend. What makes the frog kick the best kick for most of our diving is that it has a rest phase built in. In other words after kicking there is a recovery phase, where you just glide, move forward without effort while preparing to kick once more. For most people this kick will consume less gas. This is also a great kick because many times the glide phase of the kick can be prolonged, as you just hover and checkout the reef, or whatever you are looking at, and then kick again to move forward once more.
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• Frog Kick: How to Mast...

[@TechforToastmasters]

Excellent demo. I just completed my certification but had only learned the flutter kick till now. I was looking for tutorial on how to do the frog kick and yours is perfect!

[@danielsanmetzger]

5th video I’ve watched looking for an explanation. And your video actually delivered something I could understand.

[@dharmapunk5]

Thanks for the video. I've not mastered the frog kick yet. The visual was helpful, we didn't really go over kicks too much in my pool/and open water sessions.

[@kalduways11]

Same here

[@Young360]

i totally need this video. i am just learning to dive and hopefully i will be more stable to take great videos while diving :)

[@tommyphoto1]

Very nice tutorial. Thank you very much.

[@rickj.9202]

This is an excellent video! Your descriptions are the best I have heard on the topic. Your demonstration was terrific. Thank you! 👌🏼

[@WeBeYachting]

Nice video, thumbs up from us and cheers from sunny IGY Simpson Bay Marina, Sint Maarten in the Caribbean.

[@wildeyestudios5]

Frog kick is clearly more efficient but i dont bend the knees that much. Also for each person its different depending on the flexibility and leg strengh that you have. My legs are pretty much straight all the time and i play with the ankles to have the fins properly oriented all time. Also sometimes i mix both techniques, it must have a name but i dont know it

[@germainbernier1505]

Simple court précis et bonne démonstration

[@I3ehr]

Thought I was supposed to be doing scissor kicks from the hips while snorkeling, but that was causing incredible fatigue in the tops of my feet. This saved me, thanks. How on earth those deep divers use 3’ long fins with a scissor kick is beyond me.

[@tlig]

+Nate Sweet I think they either are Scubapro Jet Fins orXS Turtle Fins.

[@CaseyMongillo]

Wonderful video, thank you for the tip!! :)

[@mxaexm]

Awesome!

[@ChattingwithMarkStise]

Nice video

[@MykolaDolgalov]

Technical divers do the frog kick differently - they do not move the upper leg at all, no major movements of the knees, they bring the fins up, the lower legs 90 degrees to the surface and then kick. You (the guy in the video) bend your knees and you bring them down every time, you move your knees far down - if you're close to the bottom, you're gonna kick the bottom with your knees. Look for videos by real tecdivers.

[@elmo319]

Mykola Dolgalov - that’s a short or modified frog kick that your referring to, it’s actually a preferred method when wreck and cave diving for the reasons you mention.

[@GretaVonFreiwald]

@@elmo319 It's not a modified frog kick that Mykola talks about, he is right. The frog kick done correctly must be in good trim with still thighs in horizontal position (not coming up and down). Also the thighs should not move (or only minimally) to the sides. The video demonstrates legs (thighs) moving up and down, in and out. Instead you should be moving only lower part of your legs (calves and feet). In modified frog kick you move only feet, not even calves.

[@craigfrides9133]

It's great advice, although I think the theory in this video is a great intro to help people understand the value in transitioning. Also, given your clear passion for ensuring this is correct, it would be worthwhile for you to share a link which illustrates your point to the standard you agree with.

[@MykolaDolgalov]

@@craigfrides9133 this is the way I do it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4mclGhujd-oqpY Notice how my knees do not go down when I do the kick, they stay vertically on the same level - this allows me to frog-kick very close to the bottom without hitting the bottom with my knees. My technique is not ideal, I am an amateur, but I learned from pros.

[@GhostCaver]

​@@MykolaDolgalov just watched it they did go down several times kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5zXl2ieg6ingNE Me at Vortex Springs in the artificial cave, I now dive sidemount and cave dive

[@tubzattwood3915]

Ok thanks

[@jjhernandez5244]

Time to schedule another dive trip....

[@daveb5026]

In the pool demo, the feet stay in the plane of the body. The knees are displaced downwards. In the depth demo, the feet are way above the plane of the body, sometimes with the knees bent 90 deg vertically. Which is correct? [I think the first one.]

[@MrNotebookguy]

"simplyscuba" they are in Kent. If I were living in the UK and non-smoker I would definetly get trained with the GUE UK.

[@TheManunderwater]

Had a hip replaced a couple of years ago and my surgeon told me to be careful with the normal breaststroke kick - and this look like the pivot at the hips is more extreme. What are your thoughts?

[@seikibrian8641]

+TheManunderwater -- Follow your surgeon's advice; stick to flutter kicks.

[@geraldinafranco9098]

Great video, is there a great scuba fin that you can recommend that won't need to be replaced so soon. For scuba diving. Thank you and have a pleasant day.

[@novaprospects]

I have a pair of Gull Mantis fins, they are quite rare, but compared to other fins I've used they give a great amount of power and a high quality product.

[@dirtyblond2332]

Cannot fathom this method conserving more energy over the flutter kick.

[@demisfarrugia2824]

Dirty Blond the frog kick when perfected and done properly allows you to “glide” at the end of the kick give you a momentarily pause/break. As explained in this video the flutter kick doesn't and you'd be constantly moving/working. Another point is that from a frog kick (Z position) you can do most of the kicks available whilst still maintaining trim, such as the modified flutter, helicopter turn and reverse kick. The flutter kick doesn't, you'd need to adjust prior to executing other forms of kicks. What this video unfortunately fails on is the knee bending. You only move from the knee cap down (shin area). Other than that nicely done.

[@tubzattwood3915]

I have contacts can u wear them underneath the mask because I know that you can't get water in your eyes with them in

[@leehaynes1972]

Hi Jose I recently had a go at the frog kick, struggled with it, but eventually I got some movement, it needs more practice, and I will continue to try this kick Great video Lee

[@ahmedelshahawy852]

What type of fins sir and brand

[@tubzattwood3915]

I have contacts can u wear them unde

[@freewillow1]

can you give the reference of a good frog kick video for teaching purpose? Thanks

[@IceCreamHeadache-ge1hc]

This one didn’t.. suffice?

[@tubzattwood3915]

I want to start diving where can I buy all the equipment and a prescription mask in the uk

[@kierancasey5814]

TUBZ Attwood well I see this comment is 7 years old did u ever start diving?

[@bobomyothan2111]

If current very strong …how to kick fin bro???

[@WOWwhatsupsky]

Yes :3

[@musicalgear1024]

Hmmm...dunno bout this...I get there are various ways but his seemed a bit unorthodox. Hey but whatever works best for you per each individual situation.

[@duarfulz]

scubastore,com, great prices!

[@atann4680]

What kind of BCD are you using in this video?

[@007Tydog]

It's a backplate and wing configuration. Resembles a Hollis Solo harness and 18lb donut wing (which is what i dive)

[@H3LL0_ST4R]

Week

[@IraR68]

hey there, your intention is good and your video very nicely shot, however the movement of the thighs must be reduced to minimum and the knees not be brought in, nor allowed to drop as you show. the diving frog kick doesn't resemble a breast stroke kick, the feet must not come in, they must stay back and up to prevent countering the forward movement. if you bring them in and down, you actually push water forward = you brake, and you don't want to do that. suggest you have a look at the relevant gue/utd videos demonstrating the correct technique... disclaimer: absolutely no offence meant, this is just a friendly input, and i sincerely hope that you will take it as such... rgds

[@freewillow1]

+IRA R can you give the reference of a good frog kick video for teaching purpose? Thanks

[@clauderose6333]

+IRA R You are right.

[@debdinoogmai]

+IRA R I have always used the frog kick as described here in the video. (or at least very similar). It is a very low frequency kick that allows you to go very slow and has long periods of rest in between. The frog kicks you are referring to has a way to high frequency for me, but I guess it is more tolerant on buoyancy and less powerful legs. What you see as a negative (the knees and 'braking') is a non issue for a divemaster who guides a group of beginner divers. You are constantly looking back to see how everyone is doing... btw, the reason I started doing the frog kick was to dive slowly. I always use large powerful fins and when I use the flutter kick slowly, it rotates my body . There are different variations of the frog kick and depending on the situation you will use what is best.

[@seikibrian8641]

The "braking effect" of the thighs, which are round and therefore fairly streamlined, and the dropping of the knees, is more than made up for by the rearward thrust of the flat fins. The limited-movement frog kick advanced by GUE is good for use in confined spaces like caves and wrecks, but in open water the method shown here will get you where you're going faster.

[@randykhayman]

+SeikiBrian poor form is poor form. Period

[@arndpeter]

i did frog-kick from the very first time

[@seikibrian8641]

The kick shown may SEEM to be "efficient," but it really isn't necessarily so. I think that with fins like Jet Fins or Seawings, a slow flutter kick will actually give you more distance travelled per unit of air used, which is the measure of efficiency.

[@novaprospects]

In certain situations the frog kick is more effective for traversing underwater. Sometimes it is not just about the amount of energy spent doing so.

[@seikibrian8641]

Of course; but "effective" and "efficient" are not the same.

[@novaprospects]

Which is why it is a good idea to learn both kicks. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but from an outsiders point of view your comment seems to suggest it is not ideal to learn this kick due to its lack of efficiency compared to the standard flutter kick method.

[@seikibrian8641]

Sean Rance "...from an outsiders point of view your comment seems to suggest it is not ideal to learn this kick..." I suggest you read my comment again; I never suggested anything of the sort. I only said that calling the frog kick "the MOST efficient kick" is not necessarily true. The best kick to use depends on the situation, so a good diver needs a broad repertoire from which to draw: flutter kicks, basic frog kicks (shown here), modified frog kicks, helicopter turn kicks, etc.

[@novaprospects]

No need to be condescending, I understood you perfectly the first time. I was simply pointing out you have solely addressed a negative aspect of the frog kick, yet failed to mention it does have benefits that in some situations, make it both more efficient & effective as a kick. As someone who may be coming to these types of video to learn, your original post can be construed as misleading (seeing as now you've only just suggested divers should learn a "broad repertoire" of kicks).

[@cochinaable]

Dive fins are designed to favor the flutter kick. I am designing fins to favor the frog kick.

[@humbertocamisotti9127]

Whao man... that is a nice idea... how about the progress?

[@NathanSweet]

Hi, what kind of fins are you using in the video? Thanks!

[@novaprospects]

I know it's late, but they look like SCUBAPRO Jet Fins

[@greatdivers]

Jose is using the Dive Rite XT fins. Here is a link from the Dive Rite website. www.diverite.com/products/masks/xt-fins/

[@saidabimelec8506]

Sean Rance holy shit its you mate... and no not jetfins

[@novaprospects]

Haha hey dude :D yeah not sure where I got that from now, completely different shape. Doh!

[@saidabimelec8506]

Sean Rance I was about to troll on his terrible frog kick haha

[@hydronauta]

this is not mastering in frog kick. you load too much your knees.

[@user-qy1ds6cj1n]

i think so too

[@THELONGHOSEcom]

True...It would be more effective if your knees wouldn't drop, but great job!

[@scubamarilu]

Now, teach us in reverse.🤣🤣

[@randytay6189]

You are dropping your knees too much and theres too much thigh movements.

[@seikibrian8641]

The "braking effect" of the thighs, which are round and therefore fairly streamlined, and the dropping of the knees, is more than made up for by the rearward thrust of the flat fins. The limited-movement frog kick advanced by the "DIR" crowd is good for use in confined spaces like caves and wrecks, but in open water the method shown here will get you where you're going faster.

[@randykhayman]

+SeikiBrian what the hell are you talking about? Poor form is poor form, which makes the t inefficient. What braking effect? What made up by thrust of the fins? Sounds like you have no idea how to use a frog kick.

[@randykhayman]

+SeikiBrian actually the frog kick is great for Openwater too; if you don't want to stir up silt or kick into corals, or position to take a picture.. Or you can stick to flutter kicks and stay 5 feet above what you want to see while the rest of us using frog kicks can go real close and not disturb the bottom. Of course you have no idea what you were talking about in the first place... So nvm.

[@seikibrian8641]

randykhayman -- Yes, poor form is poor form, but "different form" does not equal "poor form."

[@seikibrian8641]

randykhayman -- Yes, I know it's good for open water. Read again what I actually wrote, and don't misinterpret it based on your biases.

[@BENebuchadnezzar]

MrNotebookguy Why specifically a non-smoker out of interest?

[@briandanay2487]

I know this is old, but GUE won't accept smokers. Very strict rules and standards with that group.

[@orlandoochoamendez6508]

It would be more effective if your knees didn’t drop since they create drag as you glide between strokes actually reducing the efficiency of this kick. But good job buddy!

[@rosco1pug]

seems to me that the presenter, without spelling it out, is exaggerating the movement so we can analyse it and better understand what's going on. In practice you quickly 'read' what is optimal in terms of degree of movement. I got a lot from this video.

[@egydivers80]

Very nice of you to get it ,that's what we call turning watch into practice ,Exaggeration is a key of teaching sometimes . Salute

[@MrNotebookguy]

No you can''t you definetly musn't do it. Becasuse of many reasons that DAN (diver alert network) states. Best option is having prescription glasses for your mask. Yes it is expensive but everyone does it this way

[@DiverEgypt]

This is so wrong. Knees dropping too much and too much thigh movement.

[@dinosaur468]

I dislike frog kick. I don't more anywhere. Flutter is superior. I use the same amount of air as the drivers using frog.

[@freetv6100]

That has to be the most stupid and least efficient method of trying to move through the water. Fins are designed to "flutter kick." If you find you need to rest, you probably are not in good enough physical shape to scuba dive, or you have been trying to move much too fast for too long. In either case, flutter kick as that kick is what fins are designed for, and just rest if you need to.

[@neal3800]

Flutter kick often stirs up more silt than is usually wanted. It is also not always possible to do a full flutter kick due to space constraints, such as in a cave diving or wreck diving situation. Lastly, on longer tech dives or rebreather dives that last several hours, you'll find yourself wanting to conserve as much energy as possible, but you may not need to move anywhere fast.

[@jcvanier]

free tv this is the most uneducated comment I've read. The frog kick is used by advanced divers, cave divers and wreck divers. There is specific reason why we are trying to fight underwater fatigue and exertion. Fins are designed for various kicks and some of them are oriented toward technical kicks (frog, back finning, helicopter turns etc.)

[@orlandoochoamendez6508]

Most ignorant comment on the internet. Come on a 3 hour dive with me, I’d like to see how long you last flutter kicking.