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A flip turn is a move used by swimmers to reverse direction while swimming. It is executed by tucking the chin, flipping the body over, and pushing off the wall.
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Why Flip Turns are Important
Flip turns are a essential part of swimming because they help you save time and energy. When you do a flip turn, you flip your body around so that you can push off the wall and continue swimming in the other direction. This saves you a lot of time because you don’t have to stop and turn your body around. It also saves you energy because you don’t have to lift your body out of the water.
They help you swim faster
Flip turns help you swim faster for a few reasons. First, when you execute a flip turn properly, it propels you forward a few feet. It also gives you the opportunity to take a stroke or two while you’re still moving forward, which can help you maintain your speed.
Another advantage of flip turns is that they give you a chance to catch your breath. When you’re swimming laps, you’re constantly exhaling and inhaling, and over time, this can start to wear on you. Flip turns give you a moment to take a few deep breaths and relax before diving back into the pool.
Finally, flip turns help you stay focused. When you’re swimming laps, it’s easy to start thinking about other things and lose focus on your swimming. But when you have to execute a flip turn every lap, it forces you to stay present and keep your mind on your swimming.
They help you save energy
In swimming, a flip turn, also called a tuck turn, is a method of turning around at the wall during a race or while swimming laps. The swimmer performs a somersault then pushes off the wall in a tuck position, which is faster than swimming freestyle.
While somersaults are not allowed in freestyle races, they are essential for achieving fast times in backstroke and butterfly. In breaststroke and individual medley races, swimmers are allowed to touch the wall with both hands at any time during the race, so somersaults are not required.
There are several reasons why flip turns are important:
1. They help you save energy
2. They help you maintain your speed
3. They help you stay focused
4. They help you stay safe
How to Do a Flip Turn
Doing a flip turn when swimming can be a great way to save time and energy while swimming laps. There are a few different techniques that you can use to do a flip turn, but the most important thing is to practice and perfect your technique. This section will cover how to do a flip turn and the different techniques that you can use.
Tuck your chin
Before you attempt a flip turn, practice diving from the edge of the pool and getting a feel for somersaulting underwater. When you feel confident enough to try a flip turn, approach the wall of the pool and place your hands on it at shoulder height, just like you would for a traditional lap turn. Instead of bringing your feet up to the wall, though, tuck your chin down toward your chest and arch your back so your hips and legs somersault over your head. Tucking your chin will help you keep balance as you somersault.
Bring your knees to your chest
To flip turn, start by swimming to the pool wall and placing your hands on the edge. Then, bring your knees up to your chest and tuck your chin into your chest. At this point, you should be in a fetal position. Next, push off the wall with your hands and feet simultaneously and tuck your chin into your chest again. As you somersault in the air, kick your legs hard so you can do a flip and enter the water feet first. Finally, once you’re in the water, push off the bottom of the pool to start swimming again.
Push off the wall
When you reach the wall, push off with both feet at the same time to generate speed and power. As you push off, do a dolphin kick to help propel yourself forward.
When you’ve reached the middle of the pool, tuck your chin and perform a somersault. As you somersault, extend your legs and point your toes so you can make a tight turn. When your head breaks the surface of the water, take a stroke or two to help orient yourself before exhaling and starting the next lap.
