I have a couple of questions on back stroke. 1) should the head be still and rotate the shoulder be the correct motion? 2) when should you start to make flip turns (usually how far away from the end you should start to flip & turn)? Thanks
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Former Member
As a backstroker, my answer to question no. 1 is Yes. My answer to question number 2 is use the backstroke flags to time your turn. Many people with long arms take 3 or 4, shorter arms maybe more depending upon kick, but you time the turn based on the flags. The best way to start this process is to go past the flags several yards and stop. Then start the swim toward the flags into the wall. Swim all the way in to the wall counting your strokes the moment you see those flags and stop at the wall. Then do this again and reduce the count by one and commit to the turn. You will then see how far away or how close you are to the wall, but it will give you an indication whether you will take three, four or five strokes before commiting to the turn.
Takes lots of practice to know you can trust this count. And if, when swimming in an outdoor pool and the wind is blowing, you must take that into account which is why I look at the line the flags are on, not the flags themselves in case of wind.
If no flags, you will need another measuring factor like a side ladder or chair on the deck.
Donna
As a backstroker, my answer to question no. 1 is Yes. My answer to question number 2 is use the backstroke flags to time your turn. Many people with long arms take 3 or 4, shorter arms maybe more depending upon kick, but you time the turn based on the flags. The best way to start this process is to go past the flags several yards and stop. Then start the swim toward the flags into the wall. Swim all the way in to the wall counting your strokes the moment you see those flags and stop at the wall. Then do this again and reduce the count by one and commit to the turn. You will then see how far away or how close you are to the wall, but it will give you an indication whether you will take three, four or five strokes before commiting to the turn.
Takes lots of practice to know you can trust this count. And if, when swimming in an outdoor pool and the wind is blowing, you must take that into account which is why I look at the line the flags are on, not the flags themselves in case of wind.
If no flags, you will need another measuring factor like a side ladder or chair on the deck.
Donna
