How to Do a Flip Turn (Freestyle)

Co-authored by Hayley Church and Amber Crain

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Approved

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Learning the flip turn is essential if you want to take your swimming to the next level. Even if you only swim casually, perfecting your flip turn can help you settle into the rhythm of your laps and provide a burst of power and energy at each turn!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Approaching the Wall and Starting the Flip

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1
Start your turn when you see the black T on the pool floor. There is a black line at the bottom of your pool lane. The perpendicular line lets you know that the wall is two feet away. You can use the black T to let yourself know it's time to start executing your turn.^{[1]
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- This can be hard to judge because it all depends on the length of your legs. Depending on how long your legs are, you would normally do two strokes after the T, then do your turn. If you're very tall or on the short side, adjust accordingly.
2
Follow the last stroke of your arm under the water. As your arm enters the water, tuck your chin and keep kicking your legs to propel you over. Bring in both arms and position your hands at your sides.^{[2]
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- Do not start rotating your body during this step.
- As you start to somersault, breath out hard through your nose to prevent any water getting up it.
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3
Tuck your knees and feet as you angle forward to somersault. Keep your elbows close to your body. Make sure your knees are close to your chest. If you don't tuck your knees close enough, your feet will take too long to get to the wall.^{[3]
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- The tighter you tuck your body, the faster your somersault will be.
4
Unfold your upper body. After completing the somersault, release your elbows and extend your arms in the direction you just came from. Put your hands together. Your body should form a straight line from your torso to the tips of your fingers.^{[4]
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- At this point, your legs are still tucked.
- Make sure you are not rotating in the water back onto your belly. You should be on your back at this point.
Anonymous

Mar 25, 2023

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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Completing the Flip and Pushing Off

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Your toes should be pointing upwards, towards the top of the water. Your knees should be at 90 degree angles. Your hips need to be at about 110 degrees.^{[5]
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2
Straighten your legs as you push yourself off the wall. When your feet are flat against the wall, use them to push off. Your body should shoot off the wall like a torpedo. The harder you push off, the faster you will spring off the wall.
- Think of the flip as a jump. The more power you put into that push, the farther you're you'll go without having to put in work and start swimming.
3
Rotate onto your stomach. As you are pushing off the wall, start rotating so that your back is facing the ceiling. Your belly will be facing down at the pool floor. Twist your hands and look towards the direction you want to twist. Don't move your head.^{[6]
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- After kicking off and during rotation, you can perform a few strong dolphin kicks. This is optional, and may be something you want to do after you get better.
Swim around 10 to 15 feet ( approximately 5 meters) underwater using the butterfly kick in streamline position. Start the pull with the arm that was closest to the bottom as you rotated. Your hand should exit the water as you finish the pull. Now resume your freestyle stroke.^{[7]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Practicing the Flip Turn

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Knowing how to somersault in water is essential for learning the flip turn. If you have never tried one, you should practice basic somersault technique. You want to be able to approach the wall, tuck your chin and fold into a ball, and start to flip over with your bottom popping out of the water as your flip over onto your back.^{[8]
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Practice each step of the technique separately. This technique requires a lot of practice. You need to practice approaching the wall and getting used to knowing when to breathe, where the correct length is for your height, and how to kick off and rotate in the water. Practice over and over, moving at a slow pace. As you get used to it, you can do it faster.^{[9]
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- It is important that you don't speed up as you approach the wall until you master this flip. Otherwise, you could hit the wall and hurt yourself.
The exact frequency is up to you, but perfecting this move will take some time. Practice as often as you can. Don't forget to take days off occasionally to rest up, though!

Michael Phelps, Professional Swimmer

Set ambitious goals. "I think goals should never be easy, they should force you to work, even if they are uncomfortable at the time."

Comments

Joe McNally

Apr 9, 2018

"I'll be 65 this year, and have always wanted to be able to execute a stylish flip turn. I'm off now to..." more

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Sundance Whitewater

Sep 30, 2020

"I almost 50 and today I learned the flip turn! I have had several back surgeries and suffered nerve damage. So..." more
Cobie Anstead

Oct 18, 2022

"Great descriptions and drawings. The explanation is perfect for beginners with little knowledge of sport."

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Question

After the flip I end up in deep water and have to swim up, using too much air. What do I do?

Isabella Jiwon Moreno

Community Answer

Try to angle yourself up and do your break out (three dolphin kicks and two strokes) before you breathe so you don't use as much air. Also, try humming, that make the air last a bit longer.

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Question

What happens if water gets in your nose, and you suck all the water in, which makes it feel really weird?

Community Answer

You'll be just fine. Try blowing out when you flip so this doesn't happen.

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Question

For 50 meters, do I need to do a flip turn?

Bella.561

Community Answer

Olympic-length pools are 50 meters, so you would not need to do a flip turn in a pool of that length. However, most pools are only 25 meters/yards, and in such a pool, you would need to do a flip turn.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

"When you push off underwater, make sure to push off on your back and stay kicking on your back for a little. Then, turn over on your stomach and kick up to the surface. Try not to stop kicking while turning over from back to front." - Melanie C.
"Make sure you plant your feet firmly on the wall to get the best push-off. Once you push off the wall with all you've got, flip onto your stomach immediately and start a good hard streamline. Good luck! ;)" - Trevor G.
"Try to put your hands down by your sides and then flip instead of placing your hands in front of you the whole time." - Erin E.
"Try humming if you get water up your nose. This might release the air while you're turning." - Kimberly I.

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Warnings

When first learning how to do flip turns, be careful that your feet do not flop over and land on the edge of the pool. Many swimmers experience this when first learning how to do flip turns. It can be quite painful.

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Make sure there's nobody swimming right behind you before you flip, or you'll crash into them when you push off the wall

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