flutter kick

American  

noun

1. a swimming kick in which the legs make rapid alternate up-and-down movements while the knees remain rigid, as in the crawl.

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flutter kick British  

noun

1. a type of kick used in certain swimming strokes, such as the crawl, in which the legs are held straight and alternately moved up and down rapidly in the water

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Etymology

Origin of flutter kick

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

The Duke said in an interview a few years ago that most modern swimmers, except the Japanese, still used his flutter kick and overhead stroke.

From New York Times • Aug. 24, 2015

It was his flutter kick that replaced the scissors kick and revolutionized sprint swimming.

From New York Times • Aug. 24, 2015

Later I used the flutter kick in swimming combined with an arm stroke with plenty of reach.”

From New York Times • Aug. 24, 2015

The cities adjacent to Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish and other places with lots of beachfront make it easy to jump in and work on your flutter kick with lifeguards keeping watch.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 9, 2014

He grabbed it, and stopped his flutter kick.

From The Flying Stingaree by Goodwin, Harold L. (Harold Leland)