Turning: everything you should know about it

To develop swimming styles better results in swimming and lifeguard training competitions, you must learn to execute the turns. How Find out what it is and how to do it.?

When referring to swimming, we talk about the swimming styles, the technique, and the aquatic surfaces in which it is developed. However, little is known about the turn and its importance in this sporting discipline.

If you are a person who is regularly involved in the world of swimming, chances are you know what a turn is, what it is for, and how it is done. However, it is likely that you are just starting out in this environment or it is simply not a topic you are well versed in.

Therefore, below we will teach you everything you should take into account regarding turns and why they are so important in swimming.

What is a turn?

In general terms, the turn is a turn used to change direction within the water surface. In relation to turns in swimming, these are strictly performed in the pool and against the wall of the pool, especially in competitions of more than 50 meters in length.

Its implementation is presented due to the need of the swimmer not to lose rhythm in relation to the movement of the style that he is executing.

The turn, more complex than it seems

Within the teaching of swimming, methods that focus on going from the simple to the complex are used, which is why most schools focus on familiarization with the aquatic environment, breathing, and other similar aspects.

The same goes for styles; It is usually considered the role as the easiest to learn, but this depends on each person. In the case of turning, for the vast majority, it is usually a headache and is seen as something more complex than it seems.

Turns are usually taught after strokes, as they must be done after a swim course. This can lead you to see it as something complex to learn, more difficult than the butterfly style itself.

How to execute the turn?

The conventional turn is the one carried out in the freestyle. This movement consists of a complete turn of the body, similar to a gymnastic roll, but performed inside the pool. How should it be executed?

Approach: the approach to the wall is a fundamental point to make the turn. We advise you to get used to having a reference point to calculate the distance between the body and the wall. Here you must predispose the body to execute the turn: hands at the sides, extended body, and slight slowdown – as slight as possible.

Beginning of the turn: after the approach, you should push your chest down and help you with your legs. The arms extended to the sides of the torso, will begin to flex, as well as the legs.

Twist: the flexed hip helps the legs, also flexed, move towards the chest. This impulse contributes to the turning of the body and predisposes a ninety-degree angle of the lower extremities to lean on the wall.

Wall Push: At this point, your body is on your back, legs ready to push off the wall and propel you forward. The arms are also enlisted at the point of the spear and you push yourself as hard as possible.

When you are driven off, you should begin to place your body back in a prone position and resume your swimming style; in the aforementioned case, the free crawl.

Also Read About: Tips To Strengthen Up Your Immunity against COVID-19

Patience, practice, and a lot of technique

In the same way, as in learning the styles, constant practice is the only way there is to learn the turn. Add to that a great deal of patience and an emphasis on technique.

If you really want to be a good swimmer, you cannot ignore the issue of turns, much less if you are in a competition. Spend good time on your training routines. If necessary, talk to your instructor or trainer for more tools.

You can resort to methodological exercises and other types of elements with which it is easier for you to understand and execute this movement in the water.