I was taught incorrectly how to do a flip turn back in the early 70's. I know the mechanics of a proper flip turn, but am really having difficulty executing it. Here's what I do based on what I was taught so long ago:
Swim toward the wall.
About 3 feet away, I flip over and form a tight ball.
My body stays in a ball and I use my arms to rotate so that I am facing downward while turning to the right.
I extend my feet and push off from the wall into a streamline.
From above the water some people tell me my turn looks fine; however, I know better. My turns are very slow and are very inconsistent. When I try to execute a correct turn I just can't seem to flip over onto my back and form a streamline position. My muscle memory instantly puts me into a tight rotating/turning ball!
Since coming back to swimming last year, I decided to not even attempt them, so I've been using open turns for the past 5 months. My Masters coach has worked with me, but due to her personal schedule and the number of people in our group, it's next to impossible for her to dedicate time to just me to work on my turns.
I've looked at tons of video and have read some articles on the subject, but I would appreciate any tips on how to retrain myself to do flip turns correctly? A step-by-step process would be very helpful.
I've looked at the videos on GoSwim and they're very good. I'll go back and study them a little closer. Maybe I missed something last time I watched them, or maybe this old dog just isn't able to relearn a new trick.:badday:
I'm at the point where I think I am going to go a local "learn-to-swim" place and get lessons. There's a good one near me that is owned by a former Olympian and is staffed with great coaches. I think it will be worth the investment.
Debbie, Try to remember that you body will follow your head. Intiate the turn by moving you head to the knees ( in a pike position ) and then tuck and extent the legs to the wall.
I try to remember, in on your stomach, out on your back, the turn the head and your body will follow to get on you stomach.
If done properly you will not need to use you arms at all and they will be in a streamine postion when you push off the wall
Thanks! That's exactly the kind of advice I'm looking for. The videos don't explain these kinds of actions. I'll be giving that a try tomorrow. :)
The funny thing is, I taught my lanemate (who has no formal swimming background) how to do a flip turn this morning after our Masters workout. She was watching me and thought I was doing it right. I described how it is supposed to be done, so she gave it a try and executed it beautifully. :applaud:
You can improve your turns
1) watch someone who has great turns and copy them.
make a mental video of what they do and do it
don't have paragraphs of verbal commands to try to remember,
keep it simple
2) have someone video you turning
a. from the deck ( from the side & head on) &
b. underwater from the side
(so you can actually see what you are doing)
3) get a swimming expert to watch you turn &
tell you what to do to do them right
Debbie, Try to remember that you body will follow your head. Intiate the turn by moving you head to the knees ( in a pike position ) and then tuck and extent the legs to the wall.
I try to remember, in on your stomach, out on your back, the turn the head and your body will follow to get on you stomach.
If done properly you will not need to use you arms at all and they will be in a streamine postion when you push off the wall
Debbie, Please remember to keep you head straight and tuck your chin. Use your ab muscles to pull your head to the knees. Then bend your knees and flip. If you get this correct the turn will take care of itself.
My turns are also terrible, but I'm getting the hang of it. I just can't get good streamline and breakout speed.
Fortunately I wasn't taught incorrectly since the first flip turn I accomplished was less than 2 years ago.
Moody beat me to it but, you can try following the link below and do all five classes
(you might need to create an account with go-swim first)
http://www.goswim.tv/groups/15
You may also try underwater footage for feedback here.
You can also try the coached video evaluation service (I think it's 15 bucks) at go swim where they graphically edit your footage, provide feedback, and send you drills and tips.
Good luck!
I went back and watched all 5 of the GoSwim videos last night and a couple of things really stood out that I didn't connect with before (flip with your abs and keep your arms still). At the pool today I worked on simply flipping from front to back. So, I just need to keep at it and eventually I know I'll get it.
But, I have to admit, after reading Ande's bubble ring post, I spent more time blowing bubble rings from the bottom of the pool, which it turns out was good practice for being underwater on my back. I managed to form some really nice ones. :)
