Sorry, I know this is a tired topic. What I'm wondering is whether anyone has tips for combining flips turns with a good breathing rhythm. I can do flip turns, but I always feel like it takes me the better part of the lap to recover my oxygen level (25 yd pool)... then, of course, it's time for another turn. If I do open turns I'm comfortable swimming longer sets and can keep my rest intervals shorter. With flip turns, I'm always out of breath and just don't enjoy it very much. What's the secret?
turn faster,
convert your forward momentum into rotation
ball up to spin faster.
rebound off the wall
breathe on your second to last stroke into the wall
(or your last)
breathe on your second stroke off the wall
(or your first)
improve your fitness level
keep after it
ande
Originally posted by IndyGal
Sorry, I know this is a tired topic. What I'm wondering is whether anyone has tips for combining flips turns with a good breathing rhythm. I can do flip turns, but I always feel like it takes me the better part of the lap to recover my oxygen level (25 yd pool)... then, of course, it's time for another turn. If I do open turns I'm comfortable swimming longer sets and can keep my rest intervals shorter. With flip turns, I'm always out of breath and just don't enjoy it very much. What's the secret?
Originally posted by ande
breathe on your second to last stroke into the wall
(or your last)
breathe on your second stroke off the wall
(or your first)
Ande:
I try to not breath flags in-flags out, although it's much easier flags out generally. As you improve would you suggest modifying your advice above?
Most effective flip turns the swimmer is on the back for the first third of the turn and then facing the side (left or right) --if you are doing a complete rotation and facing the pool bottom or the sky then you are taking too much time in the turn. However, if you are learing the flip turn, just relax and enjoy. Don't worry about how much time just get good technique down. Maybe watch others in the next lane.
When I first learned flip turns (about 3-4 years ago) I had to breathe 'into the wall' (the last stroke) and breathe on the first stroke out.
Over last few years av'e refined the technique and conditioning so that in races I don;t have to breathe between the flags and the wall.
There's been a lot of gasping for air and water up my nose to get to that point.
Push yourself a little, and give yourself time. Swimming is one of those animals that take a lot of repetition to refine the movements.
Also, make sure that your breathing throughout the swim is proper. No gasping and blowing the air, breathe normally, exhale under water, the whole time, not with a burst (unless you're breaststroking), cheeks and lips relaxed. Don't don't force the air out, it will take away some precious energy.
