Tumble Turn Approach Count
Swimmers find how many strokes they take from the T-mark to the wall, so tumble turns start at the right distance every time.
- Stages
- Swimming – Stage 9, Swimming – Stage 10
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Skills
- Rotation, Streamlining, Turns
- Equipment
- None
- Age
- 9–99 years
- Group size
- 1–12 swimmers
- Time
- About 7 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Practise in water at least 1.5 metres deep, or as your pool's risk assessment allows, so swimmers can't strike the floor.
- One swimmer per wall section at a time.
What it develops
- Turns with a streamlined underwater phase and breakout
- Starts, turns and finishes as part of a swim
How to run it
- From mid-pool, swimmers swim front crawl towards the wall and notice the T-mark on the floor.
- They count strokes from the T to the point where they start the somersault.
- Repeat three times and settle on a personal number (often one or two strokes after the T).
- Add the turn and a streamlined push-off on the back or side, rolling to the front.
Teaching cues
- See the T, count your strokes.
- Last arm stays by your side.
- Chin to chest and tuck tight.
- Push off on your back or side.
Make it easier
- Practise somersaults mid-pool first, then a turn without the wall.
Make it harder
- Hold the approach count when swimming quicker.
- Turn without breathing on the last stroke in.
Common faults
- Starting the turn too far from the wall.
- Breathing on the last stroke and losing timing.
- Opening out too early.
Corrections
- 'Trust your number, not your eyes.'
- 'Tuck small like a ball.'
- 'Feet land on the wall, then push.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Stand at the wall and confirm the lane is clear before each swimmer approaches, calling 'go' when ready.