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Are you on a swim team? Do you want to flip turn just for fun? Did your last swim meet not go so well because of a really bad flip turn? Have you gotten disqualified for a flip turn? Can you do a freestyle flip turn? Freestyle and backstroke have the same turn. Correct your mistakes by doing the following.
Steps
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Swim your usual backstroke. This part is crucial as you will be counting strokes. Since you are on your back, you will not be able to see if you are near the wall or not. If there are not flags hanging above your head, turn your head to a lane line and look for the last color block, that is were the flags would be. Swim backstroke from a few yards past the flags to pick up speed, and count your strokes as soon as your eyes pass the flags. This is how many strokes to a finish, subtract one for strokes for a turn. -
Go back out past the flags, and start swimming backstroke towards the wall. Count your strokes from the flag until you get to the number you found in part one for turns. Then using your hand that is out of the water cross it in front of your body to roll over as if you were doing freestyle.Advertisement -
Continue to do a freestyle stroke and go directly into a turn as if you were doing freestyle. -
When you come out of the turn, do not roll over as you do when doing freestyle, stay on your back, if you roll too much, you will get disqualified. Then continue swimming as normal.
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If you're feeling ambitious or you want to be just a bit faster, try a bucket turn, which is popular among those who swim the IM and need to transition to another stroke.
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Follow the steps above to count your strokes, then swim into the wall at a normal pace. -
When you reach the second to last stroke before you reach the wall, throw your arm backward and arch your back, flicking your abs and legs behind you if you need an extra push. This motion should look like an exaggerated butterfly kick performed on your back. -
When your hand touches the wall, try to get your whole palm touching for as much traction as possible and pull your arm up to swing the rest of your body around. Your feet should hit the wall quickly and you will have a great deal of momentum with which to push off.
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How Do You Finish Backstroke Without Hitting The Wall?
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat happens if there are no flags?Heather WinnCommunity AnswerThere will always be flags during an official meet. It is against the rules to not have them, as they are essential for the safety of the swimmers.
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QuestionHow many strokes can I take after flipping onto my stomach?MayaCommunity AnswerIt all depends on your stroke - count the number of strokes it takes for you to get to the wall from the flags, and make sure you are flipping onto your stomach one stroke before you hit the wall.
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QuestionWhat if you don’t do a turn at a swimming race?MayaCommunity AnswerAt a race, if you do not do a turn you will disqualified, unless the race you are supposed to be swimming doesn't have a turn in it.
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Tips
- If performing the bucket turn, expect to need to blow a bit more air from your nose to avoid that "water up your nose" feeling. Take a big breath before and you should be fine.Thanks
- You are only allowed one freestyle stroke, therefore do not flip too early, as you will have to kick into the wall before taking your stroke. Do not glide into the wall after you crossover, for this will disqualify you as well.Thanks
- Do not be scared of the wall. Many beginner swimmers become so afraid of hitting the wall, they slow down, which makes the stroke count wrong.Thanks
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Warnings
- Don't try the bucket turn in a pool without flags. Hitting your arm on the side of the wall hurts and can cause bad bruising. Don't try the bucket turn at full speed until you are comfortable adjusting your count.Thanks
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About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 54,194 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "My daughter started swim team this year and knew the strokes and basic things, but not details. Since she started so late and everything else was developed, she was put into a higher level where all the other students knew how to do such things. This helped." ..." more
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"My daughter started swim team this year and knew the strokes and basic things, but not details. Since she started so late and everything else was developed, she was put into a higher level where all the other students knew how to do such things. This helped."
..."
more
"The bucket turn was really helpful. I never knew it even existed."
