User:Dunsno/Turn (swimming)

My work is in BOLD & All citations are mine.

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In swimming, a turn is a reversal of direction of travel by a swimmer. A turn is typically performed when a swimmer reaches the end of a swimming pool but still has one or more remaining pool lengths to swim. Performing turns (correctly) will help the swimmer maintain speed.

There are multiple types of turns that can be used in competitive swimming. They are: open turns, flip turns (or tumble turns), and backwards flip turns and bucket turns. The swimmer will choose which turn to use depending on the stroke or race they are doing.

Types

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Open turn:

An open turn is where the swimmer touches the wall with one or two hands depending on the requirement for the stroke and brings legs to the wall in a tuck-like position, then turning on the wall to face the opposite end of the pool and pushes off in a streamline position to begin a new lap.  Butterfly and breaststroke swimmers must touch with two hands simultaneously (above or below the surface) then one arm is typically dropped into the water to begin the turn while the other comes past the head to complete the turnaround from the wall and then the swimmer will push off into a streamline onto their fronts. See also Butterfly stroke#Turn and finish. The swimmer should avoid grabbing the top of the wall, as this will slow down their turn.

Tumble Turn

Tumble turn (also known as flip turn or turntable turn): the swimmer swims to the end wall, tucks, does a forward flip, and pushes off in streamline. While typically only done in backstroke and freestyle modalities, it is legal in all events provided that in butterfly and breaststroke both hands touch the wall simultaneously and immediately prior to the turn. See also Front crawl#Racing: turn and finish. This technique is credited to Albert Vande Weghe in the International Swimming Hall of Fame, through his use of a flip turn at the AUU Nationals in 1934. Many swimmers try to avoid taking a breath on their last stroke into the wall in order to maintain their speed.

In backstroke, it is grounds for disqualification if a swimmer is to do any more flutter kicks into the wall after turning over onto their front to begin the turn. Once the swimmers turns onto their front to begin their turn, they are allowed one single or double arm pull in order to start their turn, any more is considered illegal.

Backwards Flip Turn

Backwards flip turn, crossover turn or suicide turn: a turn used in the individual medley when changing from backstroke to breaststroke. The turn involves a touch on the wall in with at least one hand on your back in backstroke, followed by a back flip (or backwards somersault) which puts them in position to push off onto their front, into breaststroke. This kind of turn requires more oxygen than the open turn and bucket turn method because of the higher length of time that the swimmer will have their head under the water.

Bucket turn

Bucket turns are similar to backwards flip turns. They are used to change from backstroke to breaststroke during an individual medley. When doing a bucket turn, the swimmer will touch the wall on their back with one hand, they will then lift their head and legs into a tuck-like position as they use the hand that is on the wall to spin themselves across the surface of the water. This will put the swimmer into a perfect position to push themselves off the wall with their feet, and then turn themselves onto their front as they move into their underwater pullout for breaststroke.