What this swimming skill is
In a flip turn, your child swims front crawl towards the wall and, just before reaching it, does a forward roll. Their feet land on the wall, they push off, and they turn back onto their front as they glide. The hands never touch the wall.
It comes after your child can somersault comfortably in the water and turn at the wall with a hand touch. Next, some swimmers learn the backstroke turn, which uses the same roll.
Why it matters
Smooth, steady lengths.
A flip turn keeps your child moving with barely a pause at the wall.
Ready for a swim team.
Children joining a team are usually expected to learn flip turns. Getting comfortable early takes the pressure off.
A real sense of achievement.
Flip turns look impressive, and most swimmers feel proud the first time they land one.
Nice, but never required.
Plenty of lap swimmers keep the hand-touch turn for life. A flip turn is for those who want it.
Who it is for
This is for children, teens and adults who swim front crawl comfortably and can somersault without water going up the nose. Children heading for a swim team usually learn it once their front crawl is steady over a length. If you are learning as an adult, for fitness or an adult swim team, your instructor builds it up gently. It is always optional, and the hand-touch turn stays a fine choice.
Rolling over at the wall
The goal
Your child swims up to the wall, rolls over at just the right moment and lands their feet on it. They push off, turn back onto their front and swim away smoothly.
Why it matters
It keeps your child's swimming flowing from one length to the next. For children heading to a swim team, it is a turn they will use all the time.
What happens in lessons
Rolling near the wall.
Your child starts with a few slow rolls close to the wall, landing their feet on it without swimming in.
Swimming in slowly.
Next they swim in from a short way out and roll. Your instructor helps them find the right spot to start.
Pushing off and turning over.
After the push, your child glides and turns back onto their front before swimming on.
Building up speed.
Once the timing feels reliable, the swims get longer and a little faster.
How you can help between lessons
- On land, say the order out loud: last stroke, tuck, roll, feet, push, turn over.
Common questions
- Can we practise flip turns in our home pool?
- Often yes, but your instructor checks first. The wall needs to be flat where the feet land, clear of steps, benches and skimmers, and the water deep enough for the roll. If your pool is not suitable, lessons keep to hand-touch turns there.
- My child keeps missing the wall with their feet. Why?
- They are usually starting the roll too far away. It is the most common hiccup, and it improves with practice and a mark to aim for.
- I get dizzy doing flip turns. Should I stop?
- Many adults feel a little dizzy at first. Your instructor keeps practice short, with rests between turns, and for many people it settles. If it does not, or it feels strong, stop, check with your doctor and keep to hand-touch turns.
- How long does it take to learn?
- It varies a lot. Judging when to roll takes many tries, and it clicks sooner for some than for others. Your instructor keeps it fun and steady.
