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
This is going to sound strange, and may not be for the n00b to learn flip turns, but here it is. My trick to flip turns is to not think of it as a somersault at all, even one bit.
Basically, doing freestyle (at a healthy pace), as one hand comes to your side as it finishes it's push (you should feel the end of a stroke push in your triceps) you leave it there (palm down) instead of pulling your arm out as the other hand goes into the water. Once the other hand pulls through your stroke and is also at your side (palm down) you will fold your body at the waist. Not like a somersault at all! but more like a hamstring stretch where you try to get your head to your knees. Your arms and hands don't do anything but keep you steady and as your torso bends downward you'll feel the tension a little (like a rubber band) in your back and hammys as your legs sling over your head. It's like a snapping motion rather than a roll! Suddenly, you are facing the opposite direction and your hands are already in the proper position to push off! It'll take a while to get the dsitance correct, as you want some leg bend but nothing too dramatic. It's not like you're in so close you're doing a squat off the wall!
The reason to *not* learn it as a somersault is because you'll get used to rolling at a certain distance from the wall--much closer than a proper flip turn because you are tucking your knees more when you somersault. Then when you get better and you learn a real flip turn, your distance will be all screwed up and the back of your ankles will be mightily pissed the first time you smack them on the edge of the pool because you were too close when they snapped over.
You don't need a wall to practice the motion but it helps--flip turns feel awkward unless there is a wall there to greet your feet. A visit to a local high school or collegiate swim meet will give you a better sense--just watch the fast ones, not the slow ones :)
Flip turns are tough to learn, and words don't do them justice. You might want to see if there is a coach local who will work with you for a couple 20 minute spans.
This is going to sound strange, and may not be for the n00b to learn flip turns, but here it is. My trick to flip turns is to not think of it as a somersault at all, even one bit.
Basically, doing freestyle (at a healthy pace), as one hand comes to your side as it finishes it's push (you should feel the end of a stroke push in your triceps) you leave it there (palm down) instead of pulling your arm out as the other hand goes into the water. Once the other hand pulls through your stroke and is also at your side (palm down) you will fold your body at the waist. Not like a somersault at all! but more like a hamstring stretch where you try to get your head to your knees. Your arms and hands don't do anything but keep you steady and as your torso bends downward you'll feel the tension a little (like a rubber band) in your back and hammys as your legs sling over your head. It's like a snapping motion rather than a roll! Suddenly, you are facing the opposite direction and your hands are already in the proper position to push off! It'll take a while to get the dsitance correct, as you want some leg bend but nothing too dramatic. It's not like you're in so close you're doing a squat off the wall!
The reason to *not* learn it as a somersault is because you'll get used to rolling at a certain distance from the wall--much closer than a proper flip turn because you are tucking your knees more when you somersault. Then when you get better and you learn a real flip turn, your distance will be all screwed up and the back of your ankles will be mightily pissed the first time you smack them on the edge of the pool because you were too close when they snapped over.
You don't need a wall to practice the motion but it helps--flip turns feel awkward unless there is a wall there to greet your feet. A visit to a local high school or collegiate swim meet will give you a better sense--just watch the fast ones, not the slow ones :)
Flip turns are tough to learn, and words don't do them justice. You might want to see if there is a coach local who will work with you for a couple 20 minute spans.
