Lately I have been really working hard to improve my turns and I have a few questions about a fast sprint freestyle turn.
1. On the push off you to initiate the rotation onto your belly with your feet or by pushing off straight and twisting your upper body?
2. Does it matter what side you rotate to? For example if you are right handed rotate to your left?
3. Where should your arms be for the best streamline. Covering the ears or slightly behind?
4. How deep should you be when you push off? The center of the "+" on the wall?
5. How do you roll to get a deeper push off?
Thanks for any help or advice given.
KEvin
Former Member
Well, I have to admit I am not going anywhere near a 23.5! That's very fast.
I am a distance guy, and I did not notice the first post asking for sprint tips, so, sorry if my thoughts don't apply. (But I love flip turns, so I had to say something!) My turns are more intended to me keep moving at a fairly high and constant speed, and less for the explosive pushoffs of a sprinter.
As to coming off on your back, I go over pretty much like I will push off on my back, but as my feet approach the wall I let them drop off to the side, and they hit at between 45 and 90 degrees (90 meaning on my side). So, I have done about half my roll when my feet hit.
I suspect that rolling as you come off the wall is probably a pretty good idea. You have something to lever yourself off of, the wall.
I just read the article on the H2ouston site, and I like his comment on doing the turn in slow motion. Try that.
I will try to shut up now. Bye.
Paul, your comments have been very helpful. I'm really starting from square 1 on my turns.
Last night the work out I swam had a very good set to work on my turns. It was:
12 X 100 first and last 25 were hard with a 50 EZ in between
The first 25 was perfect for practicing maintaining speed into the turn, and then take my time with the "slow cork screw" out of the turn.
The last 25, I could take my time setting up the turn and work on a good streamline off the wall with a good break out.
Donna,
The problem I have when I twist as I flip so that I am already on my side when I push is that I never seem to come off the wall straight or be in a good position to push off when I am sprinting.
I can feel the difference when I push off directly on my back. Its easier to get into a steamlined position by the time I push. Its the process of getting to my stomach after the push that I am struggling with. And it seems like it takes too long underwater before I start to swim.
Its been hard and frustrating. :frustrated:
Kevin
