I just started Masters swimming and competed at my first meet at Colonies Zone in April with VMST. It was my first swim meet EVER and I was glad I just made it through my races. My times were SLOW - but that for another thread!
I think I need to learn how to do a flip turn - especially for backstroke and freestyle because 1) I think I look too goofy being one of a FEW swimmers who is still swimming to the wall and touching and 2) I think it would help my times a bit.
Problem is, I am still twisted after my feet hit the wall. Should I just not try them or try them and potentially get DQed - or just looking bad?
You are probably trying to turn over while you flip.It is easier to flip,push off and then turn over(and in backstroke you don't need to turn over at all of course.)
I agree with Allen. When your feet touch the wall, you should be mostly on your back. Don't move your feet around or try to redirect yourself. Just streamline your arms and push off.
In backstroke, the rules require you to be more toward your back than your front, but they don't require you to be flat on your back. So if you aren't already flat on your back when you push off, you can get there during the post-push streamline. In freestyle, the rules don't require anything about your position when you push off. If you're mostly to your back you just finish twirling to the front as you glide away from the wall.
Also, just in case this tip is useful to you: It is a flip, not a tumble or a layout. You have to bend at the waist and bring your head to your knees, not ball yourself up or try to turn over with your entire torso rigid.
You are probably trying to turn over while you flip.It is easier to flip,push off and then turn over(and in backstroke you don't need to turn over at all of course.)
I agree with Allen. When your feet touch the wall, you should be mostly on your back. Don't move your feet around or try to redirect yourself. Just streamline your arms and push off.
In backstroke, the rules require you to be more toward your back than your front, but they don't require you to be flat on your back. So if you aren't already flat on your back when you push off, you can get there during the post-push streamline. In freestyle, the rules don't require anything about your position when you push off. If you're mostly to your back you just finish twirling to the front as you glide away from the wall.
Also, just in case this tip is useful to you: It is a flip, not a tumble or a layout. You have to bend at the waist and bring your head to your knees, not ball yourself up or try to turn over with your entire torso rigid.
