This question has come up offline so I thought I'd post the question to find out the rule about this transitional turn between the IM's back and *** since I no longer do IMs.
Years ago, a flip turn between back and *** was allowed; it was not the new "freestyle" back turn, a swimmer could touch the wall in backstroke, and then flip over to enter the breastroke. Now I believe more swimmers are backstroking into the wall and open turning into the breaststroke portion of the IM.
For all of you Im'ers out there, what is now legal: both turns or does a swimmer have to do an "open turn"?
Donna
Parents
Former Member
I wish you all luck in learning the rollover turn.
It is actually easier than you think, if you break it down.
A little history. The rollover turn originally was used for backstroke and was developed by Ray Bussard at the University of Tennessee back in the 70's. It's sole purpose was to beat John Naber, who was very tall and had a slow open turn. Bussard also developed the stand up backstroke start for the sole purpose of beating Naber. Eric Schwotzer, I believe was the only person to beat Naber in the 100 backstroke in a dual meet. The only way to beat Naber was to start and turn faster than him, which Bussard figured out how to do. The turn was one reason Lee Engstrand set the American record in the 200IM back in the day. The turn was so difficult to judge, that the committee got rid of it and allowed the backstroke turn to completely turn to the *** before initiating the turn. Most of the IM records that were set with the old turn were broken almost immediately, when the back turn and back to *** turn was allowed to completely roll over. I feel for Mook Rodenbaugh, who I saw go 1:48 in the 200 IM at the 1982 Ohio High School State Meet, without the roll over turn, in backstroke and transition. As I remember, it was broken the very first year the roll over turn was allowed.
The rollover turn is basically the same turn that you use for the backstroke turn now, except that you are touching the wall with your top arm as you are rolling over towards your ***. The rules state that you cannot past vertical towards the *** before you touch the wall. But you can go TO vertical. So, as you are rolling over, simply touch the wall halfway through your roll, continue your roll and press off on your side. The breaststroke rules state that you do not have to be horizontal as you leave the wall, only before you initiate the first pull.
Start slow. Practice touching the wall with your top arm as you are rotating towards your ***. Over and over again. Just touching the wall with your top arm. Stop. Do over. Just practice touching the wall with your top arm.
Next, practice rolling over after you touch the wall and do a regular flipturn. The way it works, is if you are entering the wall with your top arm being the right arm, as you flip you should be exiting the wall on your left side. Vicey versy if you are initiating the turn with your left arm.
By breaking it down and learning each step slowly, you can learn this turn in one practice. I have 10+unders that do it. Even if you do it slow at first, by using it day after day, it will begin to get really fast. Just like everythingelse. The tough part is getting yourself to slow down and learn it right and then use it even if it might be slow. Eventually it will become fast.
Good luck.
Reply
Former Member
I wish you all luck in learning the rollover turn.
It is actually easier than you think, if you break it down.
A little history. The rollover turn originally was used for backstroke and was developed by Ray Bussard at the University of Tennessee back in the 70's. It's sole purpose was to beat John Naber, who was very tall and had a slow open turn. Bussard also developed the stand up backstroke start for the sole purpose of beating Naber. Eric Schwotzer, I believe was the only person to beat Naber in the 100 backstroke in a dual meet. The only way to beat Naber was to start and turn faster than him, which Bussard figured out how to do. The turn was one reason Lee Engstrand set the American record in the 200IM back in the day. The turn was so difficult to judge, that the committee got rid of it and allowed the backstroke turn to completely turn to the *** before initiating the turn. Most of the IM records that were set with the old turn were broken almost immediately, when the back turn and back to *** turn was allowed to completely roll over. I feel for Mook Rodenbaugh, who I saw go 1:48 in the 200 IM at the 1982 Ohio High School State Meet, without the roll over turn, in backstroke and transition. As I remember, it was broken the very first year the roll over turn was allowed.
The rollover turn is basically the same turn that you use for the backstroke turn now, except that you are touching the wall with your top arm as you are rolling over towards your ***. The rules state that you cannot past vertical towards the *** before you touch the wall. But you can go TO vertical. So, as you are rolling over, simply touch the wall halfway through your roll, continue your roll and press off on your side. The breaststroke rules state that you do not have to be horizontal as you leave the wall, only before you initiate the first pull.
Start slow. Practice touching the wall with your top arm as you are rotating towards your ***. Over and over again. Just touching the wall with your top arm. Stop. Do over. Just practice touching the wall with your top arm.
Next, practice rolling over after you touch the wall and do a regular flipturn. The way it works, is if you are entering the wall with your top arm being the right arm, as you flip you should be exiting the wall on your left side. Vicey versy if you are initiating the turn with your left arm.
By breaking it down and learning each step slowly, you can learn this turn in one practice. I have 10+unders that do it. Even if you do it slow at first, by using it day after day, it will begin to get really fast. Just like everythingelse. The tough part is getting yourself to slow down and learn it right and then use it even if it might be slow. Eventually it will become fast.
Good luck.
