knee pain during sidestroke

[Mr.36]

I only recently learned how to do the sidestroke, and I decided to see how far I could do it a couple days ago. I got to about 75 yards, and the muscles right around my knee started hurting real bad and I wasn't able to push them hard enough to make any real difference. I finished the 200 with my arms, but it took for friggin' ever to do, and I practically sank like a rock when I stopped. Am I doing the stroke wrong, or do I just need to focus on developing those muscles more?

[tidalwave]

Hey Mr. 26 -

Which knee started hurting? The knee of the leg on top, or on bottom? Do your knees hurt while doing a freestyle/scissor kick?

[Mr.36]

It was the leg on top, and I was doing a scissor kick during the sidestroke. It did hurt when I did the freestyle, but it might have just not recovered, since I did that right after I finished the sidestroke. I did notice I had more power in my legs when I did the freestyle.

[tidalwave]

Hmm. Are you doing the kick with a slight bend in the knees? I think that's what most people do for the side stoke, as the path (but not angle) of the feet more closely resembles the breaststroke kick than freestyle.

I'd let your knees rest for a bit before trying it again, so as to not aggravate the injury. Try it with again making sure that your knees do not become locked at any part of the kick (assuming that you might be doing that now).

Try doing the kick slowly, with a kickboard to support your arms. See what happens as you slowly increase the intensity of the kick. That's how I'd try to diagnose the problem. If it's still happening, I'd go see a doctor, trainer, or physical therapist.

Hope this helps.

[Mr.36]

hmm. Sounds good. I'll check that next time I'll be able to get wet (next week Wednesday... long ways off) and get back on here