My breakfast with Clay

Four points I learned:

1) When you get to the pool for a workout, jump off the blocks instead of just jumping in feet first. This allows you to practice your start dive several times a month rather than the day of a meet.

2) On my flip, I must be sure that I don't twist while flipping for it creates drag. Just land the turn with your feet shoulder width apart and then feel the power.

3) Don't breathe into or off the wall, it kills your momentum. (Fast Dave lesson.)

4) Fins really do make your ankles more floppy.

5) I should pattern my stroke after a Janet Evans, Laure Manaudou, or Popov due to the poor flexibility in my shoulders.

Go Swim has an article on flipturns

It's a bit rudimentary but useful. From the article:

"...The ENTIRE point of this drill, or focus, is to create more FLOW on your flip turns -- whether for freestyle or backstroke. The goal is to eliminate ANY delay between when your feet are ready to push off... and when your hands are ready to streamline. The two things should happen at the same time... and the hands should get into position with no hesitation and with no jerky or sudden movements. ..." Here is the article: [Link]

Personally, I think it is a worthwhile investment to do a " "Freestyle Technique with Turns" clinic with Bonnie at the LMU pool so Bonnie, Clay or another coach can look at your turn and coach to your abilities. That's what I did and I learned about not breathing off the walls, creating a more symmetrical flip, and better streamline position.

However, if you're cheap, I think this article is marginally decent but drills are best learned when coached. Learning something as fine tuned as a flip turn from a website is like trying to learn Tai Chi from a cheesy pamphlet you bought in China Town.