Turns – swimming activities

Open, touch and tumble turns and push-offs.

Activities

• Backstroke Flip Turn – Backstroke turn: count strokes from the flags, roll onto the front, one stroke, then a forward roll and push off on the back.
• Breakout Timing – Swimmers practise the moment to take the first stroke after a push-off, so speed carries straight into swimming.
• Breaststroke Pull-Out – After the push-off: one long arm pull to the thighs, one kick, then surface into the stroke – a short, streamlined underwater phase.
• Flags to Wall – Swimmers count their backstroke strokes from the flags (or a marker) to the wall so they never bump their head.
• Forward Roll to Push – Swimmers learn the forward somersault in open water before trying it at the wall – the first step towards a tumble turn.
• Medley Mix – Swimmers swim the four strokes in medley order with the right turn between each – changing strokes cleanly and in control.
• Touch and Turn – An open turn for front crawl: touch, tuck, turn, push off on the side – quick, controlled and safe for learners.
• Tumble Turn at the Wall – From the forward roll to a front crawl tumble turn: roll, feet to the wall, push on the back, rotate to the front.
• Turn Challenge – Swimmers turn and push off to reach a floating target – points for a clean turn and a held streamline, not raw speed.
• Two-Hand Touch Turn – The breaststroke and butterfly turn: both hands touch together, one elbow drops back, turn, push off in a streamline.
• Wall Approach – Swimmers learn to judge the wall using the T on the pool floor and stroke counting – safer, more confident turns.