Teaching the Freestyle Flip Turn

This week we continue our series on how to teach the things that are the most difficult to teach – yet are the most basic skills a swimmer needs.  This week’s topic – the freestyle flip turn – has the added distinction of being the skill most *desired* by new swimmers.  Join us as we explore how to teach what swimmers most want to learn!

Monday

Steve Haufler Turns:  Teaching Progression for the Freestyle Flip Turn

Steve Haufler gets us started, showing us where we’re headed when teaching the freestyle flip turn, and outlining a ten-step progression to get there.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/758-teaching-progression-for-the-freestyle-flip-turn>

0528 bubbles and flips

10040 Head leads immersion at mid pool

13454 Head lead submersion and flip at mid pool

15143 Flip with a noodle

22194 push the hat back

25929 midpole flip

33182 practice approach to the wall

40818 swim flip and push off

42580 Roll from back to front slowly

45870 the complete turn

Tuesday

Turns – Freestyle Flip Turn Step #2

Here’s step #2 of our five-step progression for teaching the freestyle flip turn.  Grab a pool noodle and let’s get started!

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1003-turns-freestyle-flip-turn-step-2>

0459 grab the noodle with both hands

0595 Flip without letting go of the noodle

1065 hold the noodle behind and kick forward

1427 flip without letting go the noodle

2588 take it to the wall push-up on your back

3233 noodle keeps the hands high

4647 hand stay stationary

11546 po boys instead of noodles

Wednesday

Turns – Freestyle Flip Turn Step #4

Here’s step #4 of our five-step progression.  Time to ditch the noodle and use the hands to add some speed going into the wall.  Keep the hands and arms *weightless* as you somersault straight over.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1005-turns-freestyle-flip-turn-step-4>

0288 review previous steps

0844 approach the wall with the hands held behind

1230 Flip without moving the hands

2070 flip without using the hands

2678 start in position 11

2912 drop one hand to the side

3177 drop the other hand to the side

3458 flip without using the hands

Thursday

Turns – Freestyle Flip Turn Step #5

In the fifth and final step of our teaching progression, the swimmer learns how to place the feet on the wall to angle smoothly into position to swim freestyle.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1006-turns-freestyle-flip-turn-step-5>

0582 to review the previous steps

2793 from a push off look at how your feet are placed

5142 initiate the role with the torque on the wall

10704 body roll starts with the push

12343 be aware of your foot placement

13468 can be slightly to the side

14682 height or depth of feet make a big difference

Friday

Kara Lynn Joyce:  Flips Flips Flips

Three-time Olympian Kara Lynn Joyce demonstrates one of the best drills for flip-turn experts AND for those just learning how to flip.  Flip straight over and snap into streamline.  This imprints weightless hands and the ability to be ready to push off as soon as the feet hit the wall.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/671-bonus-flips-flips-flips>

0816 Head down flip

1611 head down flip

2268 head down flip

3175 flow into the flip with a continuous forward motion 

4587 same motion through the turn

Saturday

Joao de Lucca:  Flip Turn – Step 3 – Tight Tuck

The tighter the tuck, the faster the spin, the faster the turn.   How tight is tight?  Brazilian Olympian Joao de Lucca shows us what’s possible.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2072-flip-turn-step-3-tight-tuck>

0269 where are the eyes

0380 Down

0404 expose the back of the head

0461 momentum does not require the use of the hands

0551 how small can the ball BE?

4838 Direction of push

4935 using the wall for torque

Sunday

Kristian Golomeev: Flip Turn Step #6

Olympic sprinter Kristian Golomeev has a six-step progression for perfecting his flip turn.  Notice how similar his steps are to those of Steve Haufler’s and GoSwim’s progression.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2270-flip-turn-step-6>

0463 eyes down

0903 expose the back of the head

1176 turn the palms down

1345 tight tuck

1719 positioning of the feet

1998 Drive and use the wall for torque

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Jan. 14, 2025 - Teaching Freestyle Flip Turns