I'm training for my second triathlon - now that I know better and know what to expect I'm actually researching and trying to learn more and think this site is great! Thanks to everyone who provides their expertise.
I have a question about lap swimming though, I've never learned how to flip turn, so I get to the end turn around and come back. Two questions on that, does that affect my swim by not doing the flip turn? Guessing not much since there is no flip turning in open water...and second how could one learn to do a flip turn? Feel kinda foolish when even the grandma's are doing them and I can't :-[
Thanks!
Shirin
Parents
Former Member
Unless you can readily learn a flip turn--to do this with speed involves a lot of turns a practice. You can learn to do a speed open turn. You don't need to stop at the wall, turn around, then take off. A speed turn is very similar to what is done in a breaststoke and butterfly turn only you don't have to touch with both hands, watch someone who does these types of turns and you will see how one is done. A open speed turn is usually faster than a mediocre flip turn and faster than the stop, turn, take off.
When learning flip turns--do not practice at first going into the wall--practice the flip pushing off the wall--you will find it much easier with the added boost of speed. Later after you have perfected this then try into the wall. The line on the bottom is what you want to watch--not where the wall is. Go so many strokes and turn, stop. Pay attention to where you are when you started the turn in relation to the line on the bottom--and that "T" marking. Then next time start your turn one stroke beyond that point and see if your feet connect with the wall. Keep adding a stroke to the next until your feet do touch the wall. You then know about where you need to be to start your turn. Play around with that.
If you having a hard time learning to turn without sinking to the bottom and nearly scraping your back on the bottom--use empty gallon milk jugs with the handles and a screw type lid. Hold one in each hand and your arms out like a "T" at first until you get the hang of turning over straight--try pushing off the wall and doing the turn. Once you have built some speed with that then try without the jugs. This method although looks silly, does work.
Many races are lost or won on the turns--I think this would be more dynamic in one of those usually open water but early in the season done in the pool triathlons--with a speedy turn you will be farther ahead of those who do not practice that element of pool racing.
Unless you can readily learn a flip turn--to do this with speed involves a lot of turns a practice. You can learn to do a speed open turn. You don't need to stop at the wall, turn around, then take off. A speed turn is very similar to what is done in a breaststoke and butterfly turn only you don't have to touch with both hands, watch someone who does these types of turns and you will see how one is done. A open speed turn is usually faster than a mediocre flip turn and faster than the stop, turn, take off.
When learning flip turns--do not practice at first going into the wall--practice the flip pushing off the wall--you will find it much easier with the added boost of speed. Later after you have perfected this then try into the wall. The line on the bottom is what you want to watch--not where the wall is. Go so many strokes and turn, stop. Pay attention to where you are when you started the turn in relation to the line on the bottom--and that "T" marking. Then next time start your turn one stroke beyond that point and see if your feet connect with the wall. Keep adding a stroke to the next until your feet do touch the wall. You then know about where you need to be to start your turn. Play around with that.
If you having a hard time learning to turn without sinking to the bottom and nearly scraping your back on the bottom--use empty gallon milk jugs with the handles and a screw type lid. Hold one in each hand and your arms out like a "T" at first until you get the hang of turning over straight--try pushing off the wall and doing the turn. Once you have built some speed with that then try without the jugs. This method although looks silly, does work.
Many races are lost or won on the turns--I think this would be more dynamic in one of those usually open water but early in the season done in the pool triathlons--with a speedy turn you will be farther ahead of those who do not practice that element of pool racing.
