Introduction
Swimming is a sport that is performed all over the world. It can be done in a pool (if you are doing laps or a race you will use a long pool that is sectioned off in rows for the competitors to swim in), lake, ocean, or any body of water. Lakes and Oceans are commonly used as recreational swimming areas, however they are also used for triathlons, crossfit, and open water distance races. Swimming can be done as an individual sport or as team.
Competitive swimming is one of the most popular sports in the Olympics. Competitors swim varied distances (ranging from 50-1,500m) in breast stroke, back crawl, freestyle, butterfly, and individual medley (a combination of all 4 strokes). There are also team relay races.
In general swimming is a safe sport with little risk of serious injury when compared to other sports.
Competition pools are 50m in length and are known as "long-course" pools. Most local pools are 25m in length and are called "short-course" pools. World records set in long-course pools are kept separate from short-course pool records because short-course races have more turns, which can be an advantage since swimmers gain speed when coming out of a turn.
In competition there are many different types of officials including the referee who enforces all the rules, a starter, a clerk, timekeepers, stroke judges, finish judges and inspectors of turns.
If you want to be a professional swimmer you are going to need to be able to do these things:
- Swimmers must be able to hold their breath for long periods of time.
- Swimmers must have strong arms and legs.
- Train non-stop.
- Not be averse to the smell of chlorine.
- Master the flip turn!
Being able to pull off an efficient freestyle flip turn is an essential skills for any swimmer who wants to take their swimming to the next level.
Task
Freestyle Flip Turn - An Essential Skill
What is a flip turn?
A flip turn is the process of changing direction at the wall while allowing the swimmer to stay swimming continuously. For freestyle this entails doing a full somersault on the wall and then pushing off.
Why use flip turns?
A flip turn is applicable when swimming backstroke, freestyle, and even kick sets. There are a lot of core benefits of using this skill:
- It is much faster
- It will help you build endurance
- It is more efficient
Process
Step 1: Swim Towards the Wall
Try to gain momentum as you approach the wall. The more momentum you have the faster your turn will be. Use the "T" on the bottom of the pool to centre yourself.
Step 2: Start Rolling
When you are directly above the T on the bottom of the pool, begin your half-somersault. Tuck your chin, kick one last hard kick and finish your arm pull with your hands ending at your sides.
Step 3: Finish the Somersault
Tuck your knees and chin into your chest as tight as possible, and pull your feet into your butt. Use your arms to keep the somersault going by pushing the water up towards your ears with your palms and forearms.
Step 4: Plant Your Feet
Extend your legs out of the curled ball, and plant them squarely on the wall approximately 6” under the surface of the water, toes pointed up.
Step 5: Push Off
Launch yourself off the wall by straightening your legs and moving your entire body in a tight streamline (remember, torpedo-like). Staying on your back, push straight off of the wall. Kick to maintain your momentum as you leave the wall. As you leave the wall, rotate your whole body so that you turn onto your belly. Once you are belly down, transition back into freestyle.
Evaluation
A swimmer must able to preform a free style flip turn using the following steps:
Step 1: Swim Towards the Wall
Step 2: Start Rolling
Step 3: Finish the Somersault
Step 4: Plant Your Feet
Step 5: Push Off
After completing these steps the swimmer must continue on with freestyle swimming.
Conclusion
If you want to make swimming your career, then you will need to spend a lot of time in the pool. When you join a swim team you will be expected to attend daily practices and have competitions most weekends. These events may seem draining and you need to always be training for them, but every one of these events is crucial for success as a swimmer.
Even if you don't make it as a professional swimmer, there are lots of swimming related jobs. Coaches, trainers, physical therapists, lifeguards, team managers, and event officials, are just a few of the jobs that are available for people who love swimming.
Professional swimming is something that you need to devote a lot of your life to it if you want to be good at it, however if professional swimming isn't for you, remember that anyone can swim for fun and recreation.