Kicktastic swimmer

I sometimes see this type at the pool.

- Contrary to what you might expect: Have you considered practicing the kick? The "kicktastic" tend to kick from the knee, but in the kick you should maintain a straight leg. So, some kick sets focusing on this.

Kicking with straight leg it's hard to maintain the same kick frequency, so you consider doing 2-beat kick. 

- Work on your body position, such that it doesn't depend on the kick. You get your legs up by engaging the lower back muscles and core. 

- Use pull buoy and paddles to build upper body strength, work on getting a good grip in the water and better body rotation. I don't know if you're using the paddles, but they can help you build the strength and improve stroke technique.

I used to do this and would kick from the knee while my legs sank.  Kicking too much is a pretty common problem and can stem from the feeling that we are sinking.  What worked for me was figuring out balance.  If you press your chest into the water like you are swimming downhill and put your head in a neutral position (not looking too far ahead), your legs will rise.  Also you can work at kicking more from your hips and less from your knees.  There should only be a slight bend in your knee, about 30 degrees, and most of the power should come from your hips and quads.

Get small paddles, the should only be slightly larger than your hand. If you have a large hand then your "small" may be medium. Small paddles are are better for technique, while they still build some strength. 

I have seen swimming gloves, but I will not recommend these as they require you to spread out your fingers unnaturally. 

They usually have 2 or 3 straps, one for the middle finger and one for the wrist. Remove all straps but that for the middle finger, which should be comfortably loose. When you pull correctly the paddle will stay put, the water push it on your palm, but if your hand position is wrong the paddle it will slide off. 

BR

I was also kicktastic when I started. I just thought that that was what you're supposed to do! My swim instructor had me practice kicking with a flutter board or doing a front float, and kicking while swimming on my back (note: I learned to swim from scratch as an adult so that's why the class focused on these beginner things, but I think they're useful). I never wore fins, but for some in my class she suggested fins and that helped them slow their kick and improve their ankle joint flexibility.

Over the course of about a few months I learned freestyle and developed a 6 beat kick. It wasn't until I joined Masters Swimming 6 weeks ago that I learned and quickly adopted the 2 beat kick.

One drill we do is to swim and kick with only one leg. It's hard, hard, hard and you're sinking like a rock, but it forced me to feel my body balancing in the water and using my arms more effectively. We'd do 100 yds broken, then switch to the other side for another 100 yds, then put the two together for a set of 2 beat kick. I picked it up quickly, others in the group seem to struggle with it or perhaps don't care to try a 2 beat kick. I think it's wonderful!

If I get any other tips from the coach about this topic, I'll be sure to post. Good luck!