Outsweep mistakes during the kick in breaststroke

The most common mistake swimmers can make in the outsweep are (1) to push the legs down too deep or, conversely, (2) to push the feet back without circling them out. Swimmers may also make the mistake of (3) executing the outsweep with the feet plantarflexed (pointed back) instead of dorsiflexed (flattened).

1. The outsweep of the kick will have a small downward component, as swimmers drop the feet down to the level of the body while extending them backward. Kicking down excessively will cause them to lose some propulsive force, however. Swimmers should feel that they are extending the legs straight back in line with the body.
2. Some swimmers keep the knees too close together and kick backward with the feet very close together. This will reduce the effective range of the kick and reduce the insweep portion so much that some propulsion will be lost. It can also lead to sore knees if swimmers try to hold the knees close together while kicking back.
3. Some swimmers do not keep the feet dorsiflexed during the outsweep. Instead, they point their toes back and slide them through the water without generating any significant amount of propulsive force as they extend the legs. Swimmers should pull the toes up, flexing the feet at the ankles, and maintain the feet in that position until the propulsive phase of the kick has ended.