What makes (according to the EvilSmith) 'a rockin' fast' flip turn? What's the focal point? Making your body as small as possilbe? (Knees to the chest). Or is it timing? Getting that distance from the wall just right so that you can launch off with maximum power. Where is the power coming from? Do you have to have abs of steel and legs like tree trunks?
I seem to be missing something on my turns, or else I am physically disadvantaged. Officially my SCM 50 and 100 free are slower than my LCM efforts. I think I must be the only person on this planet who can boast this.
To the good flip-turners out there: what is the most important thing to consider when executing a fast flip turn?
It has been a long time since I consciously thought about my flip turns, but I'll try. Some random thoughts.
-- Drive into the wall. Don't slow down (in fact, try to speed up).
-- I disagree with Waves101 about the arms. When I start the flip it is like I am starting a regular stroke, with one arm extended and one arm by my side (more or less). Except instead of taking a stroke, I tuck into the turn with my shoulder driving down and my head tucked tightly (do NOT look at the wall).
-- Tuck tightly on the turn to spin your legs over quickly.
-- When you plant your feet, you should be IMMEDIATELY ready to push off. In other words, your feet should hit in the proper position and, by the time they do, you should be in a streamlined position.
Speed of rotation is important, but I think the first and last points are the key to good turns: don't bleed speed coming in, and your feet should not linger on the wall. When the feet hit the wall, your body MUST be in a position to immediately push off.
The flip is often described as a half-somersault. The coaches on this forum can address this point better than I, but what I can say is that my own turn is NOT quite like that. I drive down strongly with one shoulder with head tucked (the legs follow) and when I push off I am naturally on my side, not my back.
Of course, the underwater kicks and the breakout are also crucial components to finishing off a good turn.
I hope this helps; good luck.
It has been a long time since I consciously thought about my flip turns, but I'll try. Some random thoughts.
-- Drive into the wall. Don't slow down (in fact, try to speed up).
-- I disagree with Waves101 about the arms. When I start the flip it is like I am starting a regular stroke, with one arm extended and one arm by my side (more or less). Except instead of taking a stroke, I tuck into the turn with my shoulder driving down and my head tucked tightly (do NOT look at the wall).
-- Tuck tightly on the turn to spin your legs over quickly.
-- When you plant your feet, you should be IMMEDIATELY ready to push off. In other words, your feet should hit in the proper position and, by the time they do, you should be in a streamlined position.
Speed of rotation is important, but I think the first and last points are the key to good turns: don't bleed speed coming in, and your feet should not linger on the wall. When the feet hit the wall, your body MUST be in a position to immediately push off.
The flip is often described as a half-somersault. The coaches on this forum can address this point better than I, but what I can say is that my own turn is NOT quite like that. I drive down strongly with one shoulder with head tucked (the legs follow) and when I push off I am naturally on my side, not my back.
Of course, the underwater kicks and the breakout are also crucial components to finishing off a good turn.
I hope this helps; good luck.
