alu/artemis is right.. keep exhaling throughout the flip..

I started my exhaling process when I'm about to start my flip. Both your arms should be relaxed at your sides when you attempt your flip. When you're about an arm's length to the edge, exhale and make a 90 degrees turn. At the last minute when you felt that your lets are above water, pull them in immediately towards your chest while keeping your chin tucked in looking through your knees to make sure you see the wall and to place your legs. Once done, place your legs slightly displaced from the straight position. It depends on which way you wanna turn. Once you kick, let your body streamline and turn slowly back towardy your chest. Do remember to exhale throughout the process. The first few trials you'll most probably exhale too much air till you'll gasp for air the moment you break surface. After a few trials a many, you'll learn to exhale slowly. That would make you streamline further and to reduce drag.

so sifu are you coming? I try to bake something in the morning ya

Sherly, when is the day that you proposed? Is it this saturday 22nd Nov? If it is I won't be able to make it. Friend going to get married.

alucard_my,

I know the way to do flip turn, but when I try to flip over, seems not enough power to make my body do a round flip

Coach didn't teach us flip turn. And back stroke also, the actual way to do back stroke I didn't learn as well. Sigh...

Backstroke also I dunno..hahaha..For your flip, try to bring your knees towards your chest the last minute of your turn. This will almost immediately make you rotate to face upwards then look at your feet through your knees, put it on the wall, and then kick..viola...you've done it..

There's one important part of the flip turn that hasn't been mentioned yet. I would guess that you're maybe not aware or not familiar with it, which could explain why you do not have enough 'power' to make the flip. Actually, it's not power, but momentum.

The part that no one has mentioned yet is that to initiate the flip, if you're not an advanced swimmer yet, is to use a kick to initiate the flip. For beginners, usually a dolphin (both legs together) kick is taught, and as you get more advanced, a single leg kick. It can be done without a kick, and only using a tuck, but this isn't fast, and is used generally for cruising and not racing.

The kick is used to produce some acceleration into the tuck, starting the flip. The timing and connection isn't so easy for beginners as it is subtle. The idea is the tuck will follow immediately after the kick. Too early, and it doesn't connect. Too late, and the acceleration is gone. Once you get this initial part right, you will have the momentum to continue the flip.

The second part of the flip is to increase the rotational inertia with the legs. The legs have to be stretched out a certain length to create the inertia. Keeping them tucked in during the initial part of the flip won't help. Then as the legs go past the vertical, you'll tuck the legs back in (shortening the length) therefore accelerating the rotation. And then, your feet will reach the wall, and that's it!

Those not familiar with rotational inertia, it's that thing when you sit on a chair or stool that can swivel. I'm sure everybody's played with this before, I still do it You sit on the chair/stool and spin yourself on it, if you stretch your arms out, it'll slow down, then when you bring it back in, it goes faster. This is how figure skaters accelerate their spins which look super cool.


As for the backstroke turn, it's been over a decade since it is allowed to turn over and do a front flip. But for historical reasons, I guess you'd want to learn the back flip too. It's pretty much the same with the front flip, just backwards.

artemis thanks for your explanation. But as I known for a beginner, they are taught to do flip turn on spot before swim and do the flip turn. Your theory of kicking momentum is okay, but not suitable for a beginner

We mentioned about Backstroke style, not backstroke flip turn

alucard I'll try out your way when doing turn. Bring my knees toward my chest...This sounds easier then...Thanks

Hope we have chance to swim together, hehe...

It's not a theory, it's a technique. I don't know who teaches a flip turn without a kick, but me and where I come from, we teach with a kick coz it's the easiest and most obvious method. Well, trying to flip on the spot is something else altogether. When you're actually swimming and moving, it's something else again. I am under the impression that you are trying to do the flip turn for real (while swimming).

Good luck with it. If there is a chance, maybe we can examine it together.

Oh, my mistake, I guess I read it wrong, you were talking about backstroke

Yea, sifu, this saturday o

Oh yeah..I forgot to say that you'll need the momentum. Before I engage the flip, I'll do a soft dolphine kick.


Aiks..then I can't come lo..

So sad sifu not here

by da way, can I promote a bit for this? Siddharthan Care Centre need U!!!
I'm helping in this home now, so asking for people if anyone interested to join for this charity work or not
Thanks ya!!!

Can't we just reverse the motions for the backstroke flip turn?

Previously, a side turn was used for backstroke turns. A backflip was used to turn from backstroke to breaststroke in the IM.

You don't even need to do a backflip anymore. You can roll over and do a forward flip.

who is on for swimming tomorrow at 3k?
please sms me neh!!! xD
I will try and see what can i make in the morning

i am new, just learn 1 day..flip turn still few thousand miles from me..

I tried, during exhale thru nose the water not going in, but after exhale the water start go in my nose..
Do i need a strong lung to hold lots of air so i can continue exhale thru nose..

In time you'll get stronger and will able to regulate the air exhaled. Perhaps you're not so used to it yet. Once yo swim for a couple of times or you have familiarised with the water, then you'll do better...

DOn't concentrate too much on exhaling until you miss the turn... when you start the turn, don't stop.. aim to complete in 1 go..

when you hesitate, that's when you slow down, then breathing will be difficult.. it will come to you eventually.

I hope so...Maybe its true still not get used to it..1 week 1 time only the lesson, seem i need find some time to get and get my self comfortable with water..


Too bad until now i am not able to put my head in the water for more than 5 seconds...

i'm a swimmer too~ likes to swim, but not very pro la..
ady a few months no swim, stamina sure go down a lot.. ==