Flip Turns Can U get Hurt? Tips Please!

Originally posted by lapswimmr I am wondering if there are ways you can get hurt doing flip turns. I have done them (slowly) and I am carefull not to hit my legs on the pool edge. People responded to your question on how to do a flipturn, but I don't think anyone has mentioned gratuitous flip turn violence. :D Personally, I've never been hurt doing a flip turn. A couple of people have mentioned cracking their heels on the deck when they flip too close. One guy on our team, who is still learning flip turns, pushed off into a head-on-chest collision. (With circle swimming, it is key to hug to the outside of the lanes.) Another guy on my team (an experienced swimmer) I have given then nickname of the "Perfect Storm". (Think of the movie poster. :) ) His lane-mates have learned to adjust their breathing habits when he pushes off the wall. The example that still has me wincing was from age-group practice. There was a water outlet grill on the wall, and a girl managed to get her toe between the slots. Before she realized it, she had pulled off a toenail. :eek: I am not trying to discourage you, just to emphasize the importance of practice. :cool: Especially in short course races, you can gain a lot of time on your turns.

I love flip turns. Each one is a lesson. When I joined masters about three years ago, I did not have a flip turn to speak of. I used the windmill technique with my arms! I found a suggestion (on this website somewhere, I think) that as you begin your roll, move your hands from your hips to your knees, as if you are pulling down your britches! I have found this very helpful. Our coach sometimes has us do underwater flip turns (surface dive about 3 - 4 feet underwater) which are also very helpful. You really have to have your form together to make it around.

Hands on hips..and don't head into some ones elses head! Heels can hit too! OUCH! I guess I am way off doing mine I will take a good look again under the h20. Actually I can see the benefit to the flip if you can do it well , it is a smooth method of returning from the wall. I do have a pretty good stroke and have been told I "swim well" (good form) and I can still swim with those in the "fast lane" if I need too , even at my age of "pushing 50" so I will practice this turn. (At a slow speed ) It is fun to learn something new! I will confess that it does give the impression that a person is a "expert" lap swimmer when you see a swimmer doing this turn in a seemingly easy style! By that I mean with "good form and fluid motion" Really I cant knock the splash turners either too much..one just might be me right now!

Peggy/Lapswimmr... The only problem you may have with injury is if your pool has a flush deck all around (end walls as well) as I understand the pool to be used in Italy has (World Masters). But even so just persevere at every workout - flip at every turn - and soon you won't ever want to do any other turn. ;)

Since I learned freestyle flip turns way back in the late 1960's, when I started them again it came naturally, and I don't know how people have some diffculty learning them. But I guess learning them first time as an adult makes it harder. Beware of the Ides of March folks, tommorrow.

I had another thought for Peggy... But first, sorry for calling you "he/she" earlier. I'm not accustomed to this board's software yet and didn't see your name over there on the left. I seemed to recall seeing some videos posted here of world class swimmers swimming different strokes while being recorded by an underwater camera. They take a while to download, but they're interesting to watch, so I went looking for them: http://www.swim.ee/ There are two short underwater clips there of Ian Thorpe flipping, one in slow motion so that you can analyze his movements. The angle isn't the greatest, but it may be of use to you. Anybody know of any other video like this on the web?

Sometimes the best way to learn is by watching others, and holding that image in your head while giving it a go yourself. In response to Shaky's request here's a couple of clips that I've had in the media library.... The first one is Gary Hall racing against Alexander Popov. (www.donalfagan.com/CrawlTurn-Hall_Popov.mpg) And if you were at all interseting in seeing the backstroke flip, this one is of Lenny Krayzelburg.... (www.donalfagan.com/BackTurn-Theloke_Krayzelburg100mSemiSydney2000.mpg)