Open Turns (skill)
Definition: Open turns are the legal competitive swimming action done at the wall when turning around in a lane and required for two strokes: Butterfly and Breaststroke. Open turns are always allowed in competitive swimming but are required in Breaststroke and Butterfly.
Core cues:
- Minimize flailing, lay on side
Coach interpretation:
- Minimize flailing, lay on side: The instructor must watch for and reduce extraneous arm and body movement, and have the swimmer lay on their side during the turn.
Teaching strategy:
Introduce open turns by breaking it into chunks and teaching it slowly. Slow open turns during practice, short distance training, and learning will lead to precise movements and speed as comfort and mastery improves.
Progression:
Open turns follow the standing flips progression: Standing flips, Flip with foot targeting, Flips that become streamlines, From flags swim into wall and flip.