Thanks Caffiend I feel a lot better, I must have watched them 4 times each trying to find what was different! I'm embarrased I was looking so hard. I might have started to see things that weren't there <lol>. I'm glad to know there isn't a knees together and knees apart versions of each <sigh of relief>.
I was practicing in the Ocean a few minutes ago really difficult. I had to remove my BC and move my tank up even higher in the band to reach the valve, but then my trim sucked cause my legs started floating up with the tank higher, and that's even with my new Scuba Pro XL Jet Fins. I just ordered the spring straps - which should add a little more weight. I practiced everything I saw in the videos.
The backward kick is more difficult but it isn't too hard. Just got to press the fins in parallel as you slide them away from your body - so as to disturb as little water as possible. I did come to appreciate I have to be patient since going backwards you don't get nearly as significant a movement as any forward kick. One's foot and ankle doesn't bend quite as far in that direction - to make the blade oppose the water more. But I was moving backward I did it about 20 feet or so. I'm sure with practice I can go faster. Just now I'm noticing calf and shin muscles I didn't know I had!
The overall body postion in the water is more difficult to maintain, kind of have to arch your back a bit. It's much easier with a slightly head up position like a 15-20% angle.
Of all the kicks the modified frog is definitely my favorite - a little harder than the frog but I like it best.
