15 Easy Steps to Teaching Flip Turns

Kelly E. Duell, M.A., NBCTValley Isle Aquatics

Maui

Flip Turn Sequence~Step 1Somersault:

tuck knees to chestdon’t use handsstand up

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Somersault with Noodle: Hold noodle at ends Somersault inside noodle Noodle ends up above head Stand up when pau

Flip Turn Sequence~Step 2

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Somersault-Noodle @WallStand 2 feet from wallHold noodle so it’s touching the wallDo somersault at wallStand up

Flip Turn Sequence~Step 3

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Somersault-Noodle @WallStand 2 feet from wallDo somersault at wall without the noodleStand up

Flip Turn Sequence~Step 4

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Somersault-Noodle @WallStand 2 feet from wallHold noodle behind youDo somersault at wallStand up

Flip Turn Sequence~Step 5

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Somersault-Noodle-KickingHold noodle behind youStart just beyond the flagsKick to wall with face in the waterSomersault at wallStand up

Flip Turn Sequence~Step 6

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Somersault-Noodle-KickingHold noodle behind youKick to wall with face in the waterSomersault at wallPush off wall

(back glide)

Flip Turn Sequence~Step 7

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Pull Buoys & SomersaultHold pull buoys behind youKick to wall with face in the waterSomersault at wallStand upRepeat with pushing

off wall (back glide)

Flip Turn Sequence~Step 8

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Kicking to wallRepeat Kicking to wall with Pull Buoys

WITHOUT pull buoys

Flip Turn Sequence~Step 9

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½-SupermanKick to wall with 1 hand above head and

other hand behind you (like holding pull buoy)

When you are 1 arm length away from wall, pull/snap arm to quad

Somersault at wallPush off into back glide

Flip Turn Sequence~Step 10

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Superman Kick to wall with hands in Superman position As you are 2 arm lengths away from wall,

pull/snap 1 arm to quad When you are 1 arm length away from wall,

pull/snap 2nd arm to quad Somersault at wall Push off into back glide

Flip Turn Sequence~Step 11

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Foot Position:Hold wall with handsBend knees into chestFind foot position on the wall

(10/11 O’clock or ½ O’clock) Push off wall on side

then roll to front

Flip Turn Sequence~Step 12

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CorkscrewRepeat previous steps then add next piecePush off wall, count to 4¼ twist/turn on side, count to 4¼ twist/turn to front

Flip Turn Sequence~Step 13

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CorkscrewRepeat previous steps thenAdd 1-2 arm strokes

Flip Turn Sequence~Step 14

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Putting it all togetherFront CrawlFlip TurnFront Crawl

Flip Turn Sequence

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● Preparation for doing a flip turn during back stroke begins when seeing the back stroke flags, hanging approximately five yards from the wall. This indicates that you are approaching the wall.

● Once you see the flags, you're going to use five arm strokes, or however many you have counted.

● On the 5th stroke, you're going to rotate onto your front. ● Perform one (1) freestyle arm pull into your somersault or

your freestyle flip turn. ● Plant your feet on the wall. ● Push-off in streamline position, and stay on your back. ● Perform several dolphin kicks to propel you through the

water. ● After the 3rd dolphin kick, surface and begin your back stroke.

Flip Turn for Back Stroke

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