Comments on: How to Flip-Turn When Swimming Freestyle

on 7/24/2008 I have a question... If you are competing in freestyle or breaststroke, why are your permitted to use the dolphin kick both before and after doing a flip turn. When I see Michael Phelps do use the dophin kick, it seems like an unfair advantage...

on 11/4/2007 1)After 3rd/4th stroke after the flags (approx. 1-2 strokes from the wall, tuck chin and somersault your body, bringing the arm that just took the stroke to the extended streamlined position and allow for your legs to splash the water in front of the wall.

2)with your toes facing the pool-deck keep arms extended over your head and push from the wall. it's really that simple, but some times people tend to want to 'flap' their arms to get better rotation. this is wrong; instead, try to use the arm taking the last stroke before getting to wall to give your self and extra bit of rotation inertia (to supplement the dolphin-kick) to bring it to the position that it needs to be in when the wall is left.

3)Flutter/dolphin kick to the surface and continue along.

on 6/21/2007 I'm a long time sprinter for competitive swimming (and I now coach swimmers on how to sprint freestyle), and I have found a few things that help make my turn faster: 1-dolphin kick before the somersault (this sends the legs over faster). 2-use one arm to help propel the body through the turn, but bring the other arm out into the streamline position to get into the streamline position faster. 3-do NOT turn while on the wall, as this will change your position, and will cause your feet to either miss the wall completely, or slip. And, lastly, 4-I do blow out a little air when I turn, but I control how much I do blow out...a turn should feel like 2 arm pulls of regular swimming, and shouldn't take more air than this.
Hope this helps! :)

on 6/30/2006 Don't try to turn your body over during the flip. Make sure you are pushing off on your back, and use your legs to turn your body over during the streamline.

on 3/13/2006 You should be about 5-6 feet away from the wall when you do your turn. Turns take up more space than you think.

on 12/20/2005 I am a competitive swimmer, and I find blowing out your nose can quickly deplete your air. I have been instructed by my coach to let the water go up my nose (it is painful when you first do it). After a couple of days I didn't even realize it anymore, all I realized is how much further I could go under water with more air.

on 11/22/2005 I'm an all county, long distance swimmer, so I know that when you have to do 20 turns all in a roll in one race, it can deplete your air. What I try to do is make the turn as automatic and relaxed as possible. Try to curl, push off, and turn naturally while kicking, therefore you will not put much effort into the turn. It will still give you speed and distance, but without depleting your air.

on 11/22/2005 Don't forget to kick after you turn!

on 11/22/2005 Think about dipping your head (which weighs about 25 pounds) and touching your toes by sliding your hands along your body. When you extend your arms, let them act like a parachute to control your position in the water.

on 11/22/2005 As you push back off try to get as much speed as you can into it so you can gain some distance, but be careful not to mistake gaining distance with slowing down and losing speed.

on 11/22/2005 If you push off and go too deep, start your turn further from the wall. If you push off and go too shallow, start your turn closer to the wall.