I would do a poll but don't know how.
My pool does not circle swim. I have my own lane. When I learned to flip turn I roll to the right i.e. when I roll I will be looking left when I break out. When I occasionally circle swim, I find this to be aqward and have difficulty heading to the right side of the lane on pushoff.
My question is, do coaches prefer teaching one over the other?
I try to practice swimming straight into the wall and straight out so that I will do that in a meet. The best way to do this when circle swimming is to cross over to the left side of the lane once the last swimming going opposite you passes, then turn on the side of the lane you will be swimming next. Also that way if you have someone drafting on you, you won't have to worry about pushing off around them (theoretically). Watch the distance swimmers at a meet sometime, they are all circling in their racing lane, just because that is the way the practice.
By the way, I roll to my left but it is probably because I am left handed.
I would suggest practicing turns in a simulated racing situation. After or before practice when no one is in the lane try rolling to both sides an equal number of turns coming in from the middle of the lane...always take your first stroke with the lower arm and don't breathe for 2-3 strokes. Also, practice turns from a run into a dive from the side of the pool to simulate full speed/race conditions.
I try to practice swimming straight into the wall and straight out so that I will do that in a meet. The best way to do this when circle swimming is to cross over to the left side of the lane once the last swimming going opposite you passes, then turn on the side of the lane you will be swimming next. Also that way if you have someone drafting on you, you won't have to worry about pushing off around them (theoretically). Watch the distance swimmers at a meet sometime, they are all circling in their racing lane, just because that is the way the practice.
By the way, I roll to my left but it is probably because I am left handed.
I would suggest practicing turns in a simulated racing situation. After or before practice when no one is in the lane try rolling to both sides an equal number of turns coming in from the middle of the lane...always take your first stroke with the lower arm and don't breathe for 2-3 strokes. Also, practice turns from a run into a dive from the side of the pool to simulate full speed/race conditions.
