Tumble Turn Tips

Ever wanted to know how to tumble turn? We’ve had a trawl through the YouTube archives to find the best video tutorials.

All seem to carry these seven basic steps:

1) Maintain speed towards the wall (do not slow down).

2) Cut short your last stroke so that BOTH arms are by your side, palms facing the bottom of the pool.

3) Blow out through your nose slowly and constantly throughout the turn.

4) To start the somersault, tuck your chin into your chest and bring your knees towards your forehead (one dolphin kick at this point will help start rotation).

5) While somersaulting, bring your hands from your waist up to above your head and held together.

6) At the end of the turn you should be on your back facing the ceiling with your feet planted against the wall, toes upwards and knees bent.

7) Push off the wall and turn the body over as you swim underwater (dolphin or freestyle kick) back to the surface and start swimming again.

Many swimmers are afraid of hitting their head, so this video shows how you can practice in the middle of the pool before attempting a turn against the wall.

At first the turns will be disorientating and you will push off in all directions… apart from where you want to go! However, like most things, practice makes perfect and eventually you’ll be tumbling like a true master. Here are some more videos with further advice on how to perfect that olympic style flip.