flutter kick: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumTechnical/Specialized (Swimming, Fitness), Informal (General Exercise)
Quick answer
What does “flutter kick” mean?
A swimming or exercise technique involving rapid, alternating, small-amplitude leg movements, typically performed while lying on the back or stomach.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A swimming or exercise technique involving rapid, alternating, small-amplitude leg movements, typically performed while lying on the back or stomach.
A specific leg movement used in various strokes (especially front crawl and backstroke), physical therapy, and core/leg conditioning exercises, characterized by a continuous, fluttering motion originating from the hips.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Usage context is identical.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in swimming and fitness contexts in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “flutter kick” in a Sentence
[Subject] + perform/do + (X number of) + flutter kicks[Instructor] + said to + use a flutter kickVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flutter kick” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She was told to flutter kick for 25 metres to warm up.
- You need to flutter kick continuously throughout the length.
American English
- He'll flutter kick while holding onto the pool edge.
- Try to flutter kick without bending your knees too much.
adjective
British English
- The flutter-kick drill is essential for freestyle.
- She demonstrated the correct flutter-kick technique.
American English
- We did a flutter-kick set this morning.
- Maintain a strong flutter-kick rhythm.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in sports science, kinesiology, and physiotherapy texts to describe a specific motor pattern.
Everyday
Common in gyms, swimming pools, and exercise classes when referring to a specific core/leg exercise.
Technical
Core term in swimming coaching, describing the leg action for front crawl and backstroke. Also used in rehabilitation for hip and core stabilization.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flutter kick”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flutter kick”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flutter kick”
- Pronouncing 'flutter' as /ˈfluːtə/ instead of /ˈflʌtə/.
- Using it to describe any kind of kicking, rather than the specific rapid, alternating motion.
- Confusing it with a 'scissor kick' (which has a wider, opening/closing motion).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A flutter kick involves alternating up-and-down leg movements. A dolphin kick involves both legs moving up and down together in a simultaneous, undulating motion.
Yes, they are a common core and leg exercise performed lying on the floor (on your back or stomach), often as part of Pilates or HIIT workouts.
In front crawl, a six-beat kick (six kicks per full arm cycle) is most common, but two-beat and four-beat kicks are also used depending on the swimmer's strategy and distance.
They should be relatively straight but not locked. A slight, relaxed bend at the knee is natural. The power comes from the hips, with the feet acting as flexible flippers.
A swimming or exercise technique involving rapid, alternating, small-amplitude leg movements, typically performed while lying on the back or stomach.
Flutter kick is usually technical/specialized (swimming, fitness), informal (general exercise) in register.
Flutter kick: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflʌtə kɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflʌtər kɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a butterfly's wings FLUTTERing rapidly. Your legs move in a similar quick, light, up-and-down motion when you do a FLUTTER KICK.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE LEGS ARE WINGS (fluttering like a bird's or insect's wings).
Practice
Quiz
In which swimming stroke is the flutter kick NOT the primary leg technique?