So....here's the thing:
I'm actually getting decent at flipturns. I screw a few of them up, but I always know what I did wrong. The ratio of good flips to bad flips keeps going up. But, because there are usually some bad flips along the way, I haven't set any PRs yet when using flips. I'm at 1:25 100m with (some bad) flips, vs 1:22 with decent open-turns. My 50m is hi-39sec vice hi-38sec.
However....
When flipping, of course we are not breathing through the approach, turn, and pushoff. This is not a problem for me in a hard 50m/100m. But in a hard 400m, I'm dying, Man!! The accumulation of not breathing for this period every 25m has me GASPING after 200m. I crave that open-turn breath.
Maybe I will learn to handle this, but I dunno.
Even if you flip well, should you sometimes do open turns because of the oxygen situation?
I have much the same issues and here are a few thoughts regarding the turns and the lower back. As you tire your breathing becomes gulps of air rather than deep breaths. The key is preparation. You can't breath deeply without getting rid of the old air first. Developing a good exhale is critical. Humming while exhaling and even giving a "tennis player grunt" underwater may help you to make this a habit. Plan your breaths going into the turn just like you plan your distance from the wall to flip. If you can develop the ability to take an extra breath on your off arm going into the wall it will help. I have had good success with this especially at slower speed in a 200 or 500 race. Once again concentrate on the exhale as much as you do on the inhale.
The lower back issue is all from poor flip turn form as you tire and struggle to get it over with to speed up your next breath. I would guess you are coming into the wall and almost stopping than throwing your legs over your head. This can cause the pain in your lower back. Flip turns are actually a whole body thing starting with the upper body going down and than followed by the lower body. Bending your knees to a 45 degree angle in the air may also help rather than a 180 pike turn. Perhaps another forumite could give a better description than I have. But your running out of air at the turn defiantly contributes to your lower back issues. So I agree with your using an open turn to sort of reset when you get into this situation.
I have much the same issues and here are a few thoughts regarding the turns and the lower back. As you tire your breathing becomes gulps of air rather than deep breaths. The key is preparation. You can't breath deeply without getting rid of the old air first. Developing a good exhale is critical. Humming while exhaling and even giving a "tennis player grunt" underwater may help you to make this a habit. Plan your breaths going into the turn just like you plan your distance from the wall to flip. If you can develop the ability to take an extra breath on your off arm going into the wall it will help. I have had good success with this especially at slower speed in a 200 or 500 race. Once again concentrate on the exhale as much as you do on the inhale.
The lower back issue is all from poor flip turn form as you tire and struggle to get it over with to speed up your next breath. I would guess you are coming into the wall and almost stopping than throwing your legs over your head. This can cause the pain in your lower back. Flip turns are actually a whole body thing starting with the upper body going down and than followed by the lower body. Bending your knees to a 45 degree angle in the air may also help rather than a 180 pike turn. Perhaps another forumite could give a better description than I have. But your running out of air at the turn defiantly contributes to your lower back issues. So I agree with your using an open turn to sort of reset when you get into this situation.
