I have seen a few drills for flip turns (one in a recent USMS SWIMMER magazine article, another as a series on GoSwimWeekly) emphasizing "weightless hands/arms" going into the turn, so that you use your core rather than your arms to get you around.
Others have told me it is critical to throw water over your shoulder as you turn, either with one or both arms, keeping your elbows locked to your side but pushing water toward your head with your palm(s) and after that motion going into streamline.
This seems to go against weightless arms/hands streamlined against your side as you go into and out of the turn.
Do people consciously throw water over their shoulders as they turn, or is this just an unconscious but natural consequence of a powerful turn?
Are the weightless arm/hand drills a good way to teach and practice flip turns? I've found these drills helpful but want the best turns I can get and wonder about other, better flippers than me.
That said, I am sure there are a million ways to do flip turns.
I searched this forum for answers to this; couldn't find anything specific, though I'm quite sure it's been discussed. If so, someone please direct me to the thread?
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Former Member
I have never entered a flip turn with both arms at my side. You will naturally have one arm finishing, just like in a race. I have found it helpful to use this arm to assist in the turning motion. In other words, drive it down and use it to assist your head and core in rotating your body around. During a sprint, turning is always a violent and quick motion for me. I don't glide into the wall with both hands at my side. Others may have different opinions.
I have never entered a flip turn with both arms at my side. You will naturally have one arm finishing, just like in a race. I have found it helpful to use this arm to assist in the turning motion. In other words, drive it down and use it to assist your head and core in rotating your body around. During a sprint, turning is always a violent and quick motion for me. I don't glide into the wall with both hands at my side. Others may have different opinions.
