How to Learn the Flipturn in Freestyle/Crawl Swimming

Step-By-Step Learning Guide

• The easiest way to learn the flipturn is by practising in waist-deep water, away from the wall. The wall would distract you. The following drill helps you to learn the core elements of the flip. Doing flips at the wall is recommended only when you master the drill shown here.
• Stand in waist-deep water with your arms in front of you. Think about doing a somersault to get back on your feet as quickly as possible.

• Pull both arms towards your knees, tuck your chin a bit and dive forward as quickly as possible.

• Pull your chin into your chest and transform the motion into spinning.

• Get your nose to your knees - use your palms as a point of stability. Keep in mind that the spinning motion derives from your linear velocity, don't scull with your arms and hands at this point!

• Spin through the smallest possible space. Keep your nose to your knees and your heels to your buttocks.

• Stay tightly tucked for as long as possible. After your heels enter the water shoot your feet towards the bottom and your head toward the surface.

• Scull the water with your hands to help you get safely and as quickly as possible onto your feet.

• Done: relax and analyse how to spin even faster and more under control. Ask a friend to time you: If you can make it under one second it's excellent.