A flip flip is an underwater somersault that you just carry out when you attain the wall at one finish of a pool. It’s additionally a swimmer’s secret weapon for fast laps.
When achieved proper, this maneuver will help you save valuable time in the beginning of each lap, and offer you a lift of velocity as your forcefully push off the wall. But to get probably the most out of it, it is advisable learn to do a flip flip correctly.
Here’s methods to do a freestyle and backstroke flip flip with excellent type.
During What Strokes Do You Use a Flip Turn?
Flip turns are greatest used throughout the freestyle and backstroke, says Lindsay Bechtold, personal swim teacher. “Butterfly stroke and breaststroke turns are called ‘open turns,’” she provides.
The cause? In competitions utilizing the butterfly stroke and breaststroke, you’re required to the touch the wall with two arms earlier than beginning your subsequent lap.
With freestyle and backstroke, you’re solely required to the touch the wall with one hand, and you’ll push off the wall together with your ft.
Flip Turn: Step-by-Step Instructions
- As you method the wall at one finish of the pool, the black line on the underside of your lane will change into a “T.” This “T” tells you the wall is barely two ft away and it’s time to begin your flip flip.
- Allow your face to cross the “T” and take your final stroke going into the wall. As you end the stroke, sweep your arms right down to your sides, and tuck your chin and knees into your chest. Keeping your legs collectively, tuck right into a ball and permit your head to paved the way. Exhale via your mouth as you go to keep away from water going up your nostril as you flip the other way up.
- Your legs will ultimately swing out of the water, however nonetheless maintain your knees bent and legs tucked.
- As you end your flip, plant your ft flat on the wall together with your knees bent. Then, attain your arms ahead and push off the wall right into a streamline place, rotating so your abdomen is going through the underside of the pool.
Backstroke Flip Turn: Step-by-Step Instructions
- As you method the wall, search for the flags that dangle over the top of the pool. Once you attain the flags, start counting your strokes. “Every swimmer has their own ‘count,’ or number of arms to reach the wall,” Bechtold says. (You’ll need to work out your rely earlier than trying flip turns.) If it often takes you 5 counts to succeed in the wall, start your flip on 4 counts.
- Take your final stroke going into the wall. As you end the stroke, cross your reverse arm (the one which’s down by your facet) throughout your physique and into the water to flip your self onto your abdomen.
- Sweep your arms right down to your sides, and tuck your chin and knees into your chest. Keeping your legs collectively, tuck right into a ball and permit your head to paved the way. Exhale via your mouth as you go to keep away from water going up your nostril as you flip the other way up.
- Your legs will ultimately swing out of the water; maintain your knees bent and legs tucked.
- As you end your flip, plant your ft flat on the wall together with your knees bent. Then, attain your arms straight above your head and push off the wall right into a streamline place.
Flip Turn Tips
- Get comfy together with your respiratory sample earlier than attempting a flip flip. This will show you how to nail the timing of flipping on the wall, and show you how to keep away from getting a nostril filled with water.
- Remember to exhale via your mouth as you tuck your chin so that you create bubbles as you flip over. Again, this may maintain the water out of your nostril.
- If the considered doing an underwater somersault right into a wall makes you nervous, apply flipping in open water. Bechtold typically has newbies apply by flipping over each seven strokes, however discover your individual rhythm and get training. Once you’re feeling assured doing the flip in open water, then strive doing a flip flip on the wall.