Perform a Breaststroke Turn

When you swim the breaststroke, it is important to do a good turn. You've probably noticed that the swimmers that are underwater longer after a turn tend to come in first. This is because of one simple fact: you go faster when you're underwater. And underwater is right where you'll be at the end of a breaststroke turn.

Steps

1. Swim toward the wall, making sure that, about five feet away from the wall, you are completely stretched out. Don't short stroke yourself. Keep your head down and look at the bottom of the pool. You should be ready for your fingers to touch the wall.
2. In a fluid movement after you touch the wall with two hands, jab your non-dominant arm back with karate force. This will send your feet flying up into your chest.
3. Bring your other arm up by your ear. If you need to breathe, you can do it here as your head comes out only for a little. Then, dive your head back into the water.
4. Push off with as much force as you can, Plant both feet firmly and push off strongly, keeping your arms stretched out in front of you. Make sure you're about a foot below the surface for maximum streamlining.
5. Sweep your outstretched arms down to your sides as you begin to slow down. This is the last part of the turn - the pullout. Then, do a small dolphin kick - move your legs like a dolphin or mermaid would. Now, you're allowed one more breaststroke kick to return to the surface, so do a normal stroke with the arms, then legs to get back above the water.

Tips

• On the wall don't spend much time, it slows you down a lot. touch and go!
• Have a strong pullout and go as far underwater as you can. It will help you go faster.

Warnings

• Do not do more than one dolphin kick on your pullout or you will be disqualified.
• Make sure to touch the wall with two hands.
• Do not pull your arms past your chest on your normal pull or you will be disqualified.

Tips

• Streamline!
• Focus on each step one at a time. Practice makes perfect.
• Remember, you are faster off the wall than you are swimming. Take full advantage of this.
• Keep your biceps on your ears. Stay long and streamlined.

Related Articles

• Swim the Breaststroke
• Swim the Butterfly Stroke
• Hold Your Breath for Long Periods of Time
• Exercise to Become a Better Swimmer
• Swim Underwater Without Holding Your Nose
• Do a Flip Turn (Freestyle)

See also

• Do an Open Turn in Swimming

What links here

• Swim Freestyle
• Swim the Butterfly Stroke
• Swim the Breaststroke
• Dive off a Starting Block
• Do the Dolphin Stroke Underwater