Finning Techniques for Recreational Divers

Most divers learn a flutter kick in their open water class and that’s where their propulsion training stops. But once you’re in trim, hovering, and controlling your buoyancy, flutter kicks aren’t enough. They stir up silt, waste energy, and make precision nearly impossible.

That’s where controlled finning techniques come in: the frog kick, back kick, and helicopter turn. These kicks give you full control over your positioning. Forward, backward, or rotating in place...without touching the bottom or flailing your hands.

This guide explains how each kick works, when to use it, and what to look out for. It won’t replace hands-on coaching, but it will give you the right framework for practice and progression.

Why Finning Technique Matters

Efficient propulsion is about control, not power. If your kicks constantly stir up silt, knock into your buddy, or push you off course...you don’t have control.

• Swim forward with minimal effort
• Back out of tight spaces safely
• Hold your position or rotate without drifting
• Avoid stirring the bottom or touching the reef
• Work as a team without kicking each other

Flutter kicks have their place, but they’re rarely ideal in confined or sensitive environments.

Pre-Requisites for Proper Finning

Before practicing these kicks, you need to be:

• Neutrally buoyant
• In horizontal trim
• Still when not moving
• Not using your hands for balance

These techniques won’t work if your knees are dangling, you’re angled head-up, or you’re compensating with your arms. Nail the basics first...then add propulsion.

The Frog Kick

A horizontal kick where both legs sweep outward and then inward, followed by a glide phase. Think of a breaststroke for your fins.

When to Use It

• General forward movement
• Swimming in trim
• Preventing silt disturbance
• Staying in sync with your buddy

Technique

• From a still position in trim, rotate your ankles outward
• Sweep your fins out, then draw them back together
• Stop and glide!! Do not kick continuously
• Reset and repeat as needed

Key Points

• Power comes from the inward sweep, not the push
• Knees stay bent, don’t kick from the hip
• Glide after each kick is critical for efficiency and control

When you skip the glide phase and kick too frequently, all you do is:

• Burn more gas
• Build up CO₂
• Outpass your buddy
• Get tired faster

The glide isn’t wasted time, it’s the whole point of the frog kick. Stillness is where efficiency and control happen.

Common Mistakes

• Bicycling: Kicking in a circular motion instead of sweeping
• No glide: Constant finning = no control
• Overpowered kicks: Snapping or jerking instead of fluid movement
• Wide knees: Causes instability and wasted energy

The “Dive Otter” Problem

If you struggle with pausing between frog kicks because you're trying to get somewhere quickly, you’re not alone. It’s a common issue, even among experienced divers. That’s actually where the nickname “Dive Otter” comes from. Otters are fast, playful, and constantly in motion. That instinct to keep moving can work against you underwater.

The Back Kick

A reverse motion that propels you backward without using your hands or turning around.

When to Use It

• Backing out of a tight spot
• Avoiding contact with a wall or diver
• Maintaining precise position without turning

Technique

• Start in horizontal trim
• Angle your feet outwards, spreading your knees and pulling the fins back towards the upper part of the body.
• As you bring your legs back, use the top of your fins to push the water backward.
• Reset your fins carefully or you will have wasted the backwards motion
• Pause and check position before repeating

Key Points

• Initiate from your knees, not from the hip
• The return (reset) motion is just as important as the "pull"
• Keep your torso and head stable

Common Mistakes

• Breaking trim: Bending at the waist or lifting your upper body
• Fin flutter: Trying to flutter backward doesn’t work
• Too much effort: Back kick is subtle and controlled, not forceful

The Helicopter Turn

A slow, flat rotation in place, like pivoting on an axis. One leg pushes while the other resists.

When to Use It

• Turning to face your buddy
• Aligning with a wreck or object
• Reorienting without drifting forward or back

Technique

• Stay in trim and completely still
• Do a shallow/light frog style kick with one leg
• Use the opposite leg to do a shallow/light back kick
• Glide to complete the turn
• Pause before repeating

Key Points

• Use asymmetrical frog/back kick motions
• Keep your torso and hands completely still
• Avoid turning by swimming in a circle—true helicopter turns are stationary

Common Mistakes

• Kicking both legs at once results in drift, not rotation
• Bending the knees too much leads to instability

Final Thoughts

These kicks aren’t just about style, they’re about control. You’ll know they’re working when:

• You move with less effort
• You can hold your place
• Your dive team stays tight without crashing into each other
• Your fins stop stirring the bottom
• You feel more like a diver and less like a swimmer

If you’ve never been taught these kicks properly, consider seeking out a class or buddy who dives with solid trim and precision. Practice, patience, and feedback are what bring these techniques to life.