It's amazing how easy we can develop very bad technique. I often see people swim with horrible technique that just makes me cringe. Never thought I'd have issues controlling my own body but last night i did.
I was doing my first 400 yards a couple of days ago with ease, but as i was swimming my flip turns gradually became worse to a point where i was rolling sideways rather then a straight flip turn into a push. No biggie, i figured i was just tired.
So last night i go into the pool and started with an easy 50. To my surprise, i was notable to do a proper flip Turn to save my life! My hands and body kept turning sideways as i was doing the flip. I was shocked. It took the following 30 minutes to get back to where i was 2 months ago, just flipping properly (facing up) from a stand still.
What is wrong? what did i do wrong? Does these things ever happen to you? I was shocked that a single swim imprinted such bad technique in my mind and on my body. I was so depressed last night, i didn't even swim. If a single workout damaged my turns so much, how hard hard is it to correct improper swimming technique?
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Former Member
DB -
Are you turning by sumersaulting and ending up on your side? If you are, most folks will tell you it is bad technique but I wouldn't worry too much about it. Your body is just getting ahead of itself since it knows it needs to rotate over once you're done with the sumersault.
My turns have been that way for years; unless during a turn for backstroke, I almost never flip and end up on my back. I end up rotating towards my left during the sumersault and end up having only 90° left to turn instead of 180°. For me personally, I find I have a lot more power if I do it that way.
I agree with Muppet. I've seen that "diagonal" turn instructed too. I think provided you're turn fast and smooth you'll be ok. I don't tumble much. I've got to start or I'll be do 7 open turns in the 200 Free at NEM LOL.
DB -
Are you turning by sumersaulting and ending up on your side? If you are, most folks will tell you it is bad technique but I wouldn't worry too much about it. Your body is just getting ahead of itself since it knows it needs to rotate over once you're done with the sumersault.
My turns have been that way for years; unless during a turn for backstroke, I almost never flip and end up on my back. I end up rotating towards my left during the sumersault and end up having only 90° left to turn instead of 180°. For me personally, I find I have a lot more power if I do it that way.
I agree with Muppet. I've seen that "diagonal" turn instructed too. I think provided you're turn fast and smooth you'll be ok. I don't tumble much. I've got to start or I'll be do 7 open turns in the 200 Free at NEM LOL.
