<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="https://community.usms.org/cfs-file/__key/system/syndication/rss.xsl" media="screen"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"><channel><title>Newbie Help:  Hitting Head on Wall in Backstroke (ouch!)</title><link>https://community.usms.org/swimming/f/general/11448/newbie-help-hitting-head-on-wall-in-backstroke-ouch</link><description>Hi everyone, 

Just started swimming lessons a week ago and for the last lesson began doing the backstroke. 

I was swimming half pool lengths in the 4-ft. area to and from the wall and several times when going back to the wall I would hit my head on</description><dc:language>en-US</dc:language><generator>Telligent Community 12</generator><item><title>RE: Newbie Help:  Hitting Head on Wall in Backstroke (ouch!)</title><link>https://community.usms.org/thread/187131?ContentTypeID=1</link><pubDate>Mon, 22 Jul 2013 10:06:27 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:2d529786-b4a9-4d07-8544-9ec62d63deee</guid><dc:creator>ande</dc:creator><description>I was swimming half pool lengths in the 4-ft. area to and from the wall and several times when going back to the wall I would hit my head on it.  
you should have done the first half then turned over

Wondering if you guys have any techniques to avoid that?  
first look at the flags, they are set 5 yards or 5 meters from the wall
figure our how many strokes it takes you to get to the wall then sneak a little side glance one or two strokes before you get to the wall  

Do you guys look back at all?  
YES but just once

If so, does the turning of your neck/head break form bad enough that it messes up that particular stroke cycle?  
not really&lt;div style="clear:both;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description></item><item><title>RE: Newbie Help:  Hitting Head on Wall in Backstroke (ouch!)</title><link>https://community.usms.org/thread/187111?ContentTypeID=1</link><pubDate>Mon, 22 Jul 2013 06:52:41 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:7028582a-277f-45fd-b2e5-4d9c3fba6bf8</guid><dc:creator>__steve__</dc:creator><description>Before I even think about backstroke I check for the flags. 

A swim team finished renting our club pool and took the flags with them, without notice. I didn&amp;#39;t realize they were missing before I started backstroke, and on the first length as I thought I should have seen them by then, BANG! Was lucky to stay conscious because I was the only person in the pool.&lt;div style="clear:both;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description></item><item><title>RE: Newbie Help:  Hitting Head on Wall in Backstroke (ouch!)</title><link>https://community.usms.org/thread/187041?ContentTypeID=1</link><pubDate>Sun, 21 Jul 2013 15:26:06 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:f57525e8-eb70-47ac-adc9-bd7b0c3e00af</guid><dc:creator>Former Member</dc:creator><description>There should be backstroke flags over the lanes.  You learn to count how many strokes from the flags to the wall to prevent head injuries.

Most pools have them.  My pool has them strung over both ends of the pool for the 50 meter swims AND also for the 25 yard swims the same thing.&lt;div style="clear:both;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description></item></channel></rss>