In the individual medley races, there are a lot of transitions between strokes: fly to back, back to breast, breast to free where each swimmer could either gain or lose time on the opponents. Usually, the most complex turn is the one from backstroke to breaststroke. In the history of swimming,...

If you've already mastered the basics of a good start, it's time to experiment. Without trying new things and fine-tuning the details, you will never improve. With that in mind, let’s examine the key aspects of the track start. This article assumes you are a competitive swimmer looking to build...

When it comes to the swimming track start, one of the first questions every swimmer asks is: "Which foot should I put forward?" One could assume it's based on your dominant hand, but foot dominance is often more complex as this study indicates. You could be right-handed but have a dominant lef...

Should I do a track start or a grab start? It's a question every competitive swimmer asks, and the answer is: it depends. Your ideal start depends on your body type, flexibility, power, and even the event you're swimming. Many swimmers still haven't figured out which is best for them, and some eve...

In our previous lesson, we covered the on-block mechanics of a great start: reaction time and a powerful push-off. Now, it's time to master what happens after you leave the block. A powerful dive is useless if you lose all your speed in the water. This lesson will break down the three crucial...

If you're comfortable with the basics of sitting and standing dives, it's time to focus on the details that turn a simple dive into an explosive, race-winning start. This advanced lesson will break down the two most important skills that happen on the block: how to sharpen your reaction time...

In our last lesson, we covered the basics of the sitting dive and squatting dive. Now that you are comfortable with those, it's time to build on that foundation and move toward a proper start off the diving block. This lesson will guide you through the next few progressions, from a standing dive...

Learning to swim with the correct technique can be challenging, but learning to dive headfirst into the water can be downright scary for a beginner. However, with a little patience and a step-by-step approach, what seems like an impossible task is easily conquerable. This lesson will teach you t...

I've been swimming and coaching for many years and one thing that I see the most room for improvement, even in competitive swimmers, is the butterfly and breaststroke turn. It's often the place where races are lost. But with the right mindset and a focus on a few key mechanics, you can transfo...

If you've already mastered the basics of the flip in Part 1 and taking it to the wall in Part 2, it's time to fine-tune your technique for maximum speed. This advanced lesson will provide a few special tips and tricks for the flip turn professional. We'll focus on three key areas: the approach...

In our last lesson, you mastered the forward somersault in open water. Now, it's time to take that skill to its final destination: the wall. This lesson will guide you through the process of timing your approach, planting your feet, pushing off, and twisting back onto your stomach. With a little...

For many swimmers, the freestyle flip turn can seem like a complex and intimidating skill. But with a little patience and a step-by-step approach, you can master it in no time. This is the first lesson in our series on the flip turn. Before we even think about the wall, we are going to focus on th...