I read the following PDF regarding the updated rule and interpretation for the freestyle portion of the IM:
www.usms.org/.../20150911_fina_im_interpretation.pdf
My question is regarding the freestyle flip turn. When you turn, you flip onto your back, push off and start twisting to the proper position for freestyle. It usually happens fairly fast so you're not completely on the back for any more than one kick worth at the most and by then you've begun rotating to the side. Honestly, I still flip slightly diagonally, so my feet land a bit off-horizontal but I've been working on correcting it to what has been shown to me as a more proper technique.
But I know as soon as I post this notice for my masters team on Wednesday, they are going to ask the same questions. I would assume that this position of being on the back is normal in freestyle and wouldn't constitute backstroke swimming but I've been wrong plenty of times in trying to interpret rules. But it gets me into wondering, what's going to be the line between a normal freestyle flip turn and too much time on your back? Obviously, no SDK-ing on your back down the length of the pool but exactly how fast does that twist need to be? Is there a standpoint from the officials on this yet?
Thanks in advance!
Given the image Rob posted, and Kathy's post, the only legal turn for the freestyle leg of IM would be an open turn. Is there any way to execute a flip turn without being on one's back prior to touching the wall?
Yes, I'm rarely on my back after a turn. When I come to the wall I kick my legs up then give a slight turn, this turns my body past the *** and by the time my legs have entered the water I'm turn almost all the way on my ***. I don't understand why one would want to rotate with one's entire body in the water, that's a lot more drag to over come, I use gravity to do the work for me.
Years ago I asked this same question about doing kicks on my back during IM and wasn't able to get a good answer so I stopped kicking on my back. I'm surprised this hasn't come up long before now as I too found kicking on my back was easier.
Given the image Rob posted, and Kathy's post, the only legal turn for the freestyle leg of IM would be an open turn. Is there any way to execute a flip turn without being on one's back prior to touching the wall?
Yes, I'm rarely on my back after a turn. When I come to the wall I kick my legs up then give a slight turn, this turns my body past the *** and by the time my legs have entered the water I'm turn almost all the way on my ***. I don't understand why one would want to rotate with one's entire body in the water, that's a lot more drag to over come, I use gravity to do the work for me.
Years ago I asked this same question about doing kicks on my back during IM and wasn't able to get a good answer so I stopped kicking on my back. I'm surprised this hasn't come up long before now as I too found kicking on my back was easier.
