buoyancy and effort w/ flutter kick

Question
The issue is buoyancy and effort when using the flutter kick with freestyle (crawl) arm movement.  Both buoyancy and effort is significantly better using the frog kick; as soon as I try the flutter kick, my legs start to sink, even when I press downward somewhat in my chest area to counteract sinking hips, and it is so much more effort than a frog kick, I can barely do one lap even with a slow flutter kick.

I'm also wondering about body placement as it relates to how I raise my head out of the water.  I just taught myself how to swim (yes..I am sure I have some bad techniques), and I somehow thought it was better to minimize movement by gently rolling my head side to side, barely coming up out of the water, but maybe this is a bad technique that affects body placement/buoyancy.  

The final issue could be the amount of air in my lungs. Although a frog kick is most comfortable, and I rest my head on my ear (so to speak), even then, it feels like I don't have enough time to get enough air each time causing me to tire between laps, having to pause for a few seconds. I'm sure the amount of air in my lungs affects  buoyancy, nevermind contributes to overall exhaustion,but I'm not sure how to adjust things to allow me to get more air. btw, I've run for years, so cardiovascular may not be so much of an issue.

Appreciate any suggestions on using the flutter kick with the freestyle to improve bouyancy, amount of air into the lungs and effort.

Kathleen (aka 'guppy')

Answer
Hello Kathleen,
First let me congratulate you with the decision on teaching yourself how to swim. This website may help. It is a good reference point for how to do the Crawl (freestyle) stroke http://www.ehow.com/how_5048_swim-freestyle-stroke.html

In order to increase your strength and comfort level with the scissors kick it would help to grab a kickboard and do laps across the pool. You will need to hole the kickboard with both hands out in front of you and then kick with your hips and a limited amount of bending of the knee. Your foot remains typically flexed out straight (I tell a lot of my new swimmer to be a ballerina in the water and point your toe). It will take a few days or a couple of weeks but the technique will get easier and you will train your leg muscles to do this kick. Once this kicking technique is established you should no longer be sinking provided you are only bringing your freestyle arms up along your sides and then back and out if you reach too far under water you will force your body downward and you will sink.

I have a lot of people tell me that the frog kick is more effective not only is the technique off but it will exhaust you as you have found out.  Kind of like running a 5 K but taking huge steps where you can begin to stumble.

Your head should with freestyle  turn out while your elbow is just exiting the water and the breath needs to be taken with your ear resting on the water and your face should turn as your arm enters back in the water. With out seeing your technique it sounds like your breathing may be right but the timing may be off.

To address your last question you should almost naturally be able to breath with each stroke (pick either left or right side to breath on to start) while exhaling all the air in your lungs between arm strokes. After you get used to that you can breath on a rotation cycle. (Which I am happy to explain to you later if you wish). I can also talk you though the breast stroke (froggie kick with arms that do a heart shaped movement) once you establish the crawl stroke as well.

Good luck! Sounds like you are off to a good start!
Kate