I have officially given up trying to do a flip turn on my 50 Back. I was DQ'd this past weekend as I tried to turn over, flip and push off. I DQ'd because my feet couldn't find the wall and I just kinda floated there for a second, did a double arm pull, and went on my merry way. This has occurred at every meet so far, and I'm over it.
I noticed a lot of folks were doing open turns for their backstroke. I tried to find some videos online to show this, but I couldn't. Can someone explain to me how to properly perform an open turn for backstroke? I can do the back-to-*** turn just fine, so I'm guessing that back-to-back is kinda the same, except instead of pushing off on your belly, you push off on your back.
I have a lot of problems judging distance (always have, even as a kid...I used to run into a lot of walls when I figure skated), and this seems to have been the problem with swimming as well. Thanks ahead for any advice.
Sorry, haven't checked back in a few days.
You guys are right on target, it's five yards for short course, five meters for long course. Messes me up for a couple of weeks when we switch the pool from short to long course (25y x 25m facility). But those are the standard distances.
When I was an age grouper, I'd judge the turn by how high the flags were which, looking back, was not a very good way to do it. The angle will vary based on the lane you're in, but the distance to the wall when the flag is over your head is the same unless they've messed something up.
If you don't have flags, you're going to have trouble, though. If you have something you can use as a reference, start a count when you pass it. But do this every backstroke turn, every time you do it. Once you have that as a habit, you won't need to think about it in your race because it will be automatic. Then, when you're in a pool with flags, use them as your reference, but you're already in the habit of starting your count, that will be automatic.
Best of luck
Sorry, haven't checked back in a few days.
You guys are right on target, it's five yards for short course, five meters for long course. Messes me up for a couple of weeks when we switch the pool from short to long course (25y x 25m facility). But those are the standard distances.
When I was an age grouper, I'd judge the turn by how high the flags were which, looking back, was not a very good way to do it. The angle will vary based on the lane you're in, but the distance to the wall when the flag is over your head is the same unless they've messed something up.
If you don't have flags, you're going to have trouble, though. If you have something you can use as a reference, start a count when you pass it. But do this every backstroke turn, every time you do it. Once you have that as a habit, you won't need to think about it in your race because it will be automatic. Then, when you're in a pool with flags, use them as your reference, but you're already in the habit of starting your count, that will be automatic.
Best of luck
