Definition

Noun: A specific swimming kick used primarily in the sidestroke, characterized by a movement where the legs open and then close forcefully in a scissor-like, alternating motion to propel the swimmer forward.

Usage

The term "scissors kick" is used to describe a fundamental leg technique in swimming. It is the defining kick for the sidestroke and is also sometimes incorporated into other survival or resting strokes. The action mimics the opening and closing of scissor blades.

Examples

• The swimmer's scissors kick was powerful and efficient, allowing her to glide smoothly through the water.
• To perform the sidestroke correctly, you must master the timing of the arm pull and the scissors kick.
• The lifeguard demonstrated a resting stroke that utilized a slow, steady scissors kick.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Description: In a proper scissors kick, the top leg moves forward while the bottom leg moves backward simultaneously, followed by a powerful squeeze together. This asymmetrical motion differs from the symmetrical flutter or dolphin kicks.
• In Combat Sports: While the primary meaning is aquatic, the term can be used metaphorically or descriptively in martial arts or soccer to describe a mid-air kicking motion where the legs move in a scissoring fashion, though this is a contextual extension of the core meaning.

Variants and Related Words

• Sidestroke Kick: A direct synonym, explicitly naming the stroke it belongs to.
• Scissor Kick: A common alternative spelling (without the 's' on 'scissors').

Synonyms

• Sidestroke kick

Related Phrases

• To execute a scissors kick: To perform the kick.
• The power of the scissors kick: Referring to the propulsion generated by the motion.

Noun

1. a kick used in the sidestroke; legs are brought together in a scissoring motion