backstroke armpit & kick

Question
I heard that in backstroke your armpit should be lifted and face the sky. How does this help the stroke?

Another question about kicking on your back without arm movement: I can't go further after the initial momentum of pushing off the wall is gone. I would stop after a few feet no matter how I try to kick. How can I kick far (some people can kick across the pool).

Thanks.

Answer
I think the body should rotate 45 degrees in back and free. Maybe a little more in backstroke, though certainly not to 90 degrees.

Some good things happen when you're on your more on your side. One, your body presents a more streamlined shape in the water, reducing resistance. Think about a thin boat being faster than a flat barge.

Two, the rotation helps you bring the power of the body to the arms. Just as in all sports using the hips and rotating the body gives you more power.

Three, it helps clear the arms out of the water so there is less resistance.

(Most swimmers need to work on reducing resistance, rather than pulling harder. Search youtube for Total Immersion videos for some explanations and good videos).

As far as the kicking off the wall issue...without seeing your kick it's hard to say. I have seen people kick so poorly they go backwards. This is usually because they do a bicycle kick instead of a flutter kick. How is your kick on the stomach?

Flutter kick on your back is done thus...The legs are fairly straight. The feet should be at least 180 degrees to the shin. On the up kick, the knees will bend slightly, on the down kick the water pressure will make the leg go straight.

For beginners usually concentrating on keeping the kick small and fast, kick just below the surface and point the toes will be enough.

I would get some fins. They will help your kicking a lot and make working on all your strokes much easier. Cheap long fins are best. Don't get the big scuba fins. The short Zoomers are ok as well.

The other thing you're probably not doing is keeping your arms extended over your head in a streamline. It takes a lot of practice to get it. Try using a kickboard over your head and kick on your back.

If you have further questions, please let me know. Best of luck, Ron