Flip turn vs Open turn in Sports - What is The Difference?

Last Updated Feb 2, 2025

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Table of Comparison

Feature Open Turn Flip Turn
Definition Swimmer touches the wall with one hand, then turns around. Swimmer performs a forward somersault before pushing off the wall.
Speed Slower due to slower transition. Faster, enabling continuous momentum.
Difficulty Easy to perform, beginner-friendly. Requires technique and timing, intermediate to advanced level.
Usage Common in beginner and breaststroke/backstroke. Standard in freestyle and butterfly races.
Energy Efficiency Less efficient due to pause at the wall. More efficient, maintaining speed through the turn.

Introduction to Open Turn and Flip Turn

Open turns and flip turns are essential techniques used by swimmers to change direction efficiently at pool walls. An open turn involves touching the wall with one or both hands before pivoting the body to push off in the opposite direction, commonly used in breaststroke and butterfly. Flip turns, also known as tumble turns, require a forward somersault just before reaching the wall, enabling faster and smoother transitions, predominantly used in freestyle and backstroke.

Key Differences Between Open Turn and Flip Turn

The key differences between open turn and flip turn lie in execution style and efficiency; open turn involves touching the wall with one hand while the body rotates around it, making it slower and less streamlined. Flip turn, also known as tumble turn, uses a forward somersault motion off the wall, allowing for a quicker and more fluid transition between laps. Competitive swimmers prefer flip turns for their speed and reduced water resistance, whereas open turns are common in beginner and recreational swimming.

When to Use Open Turn

Open turns are ideal for beginners and swimmers in recreational or therapeutic settings due to their simplicity and controlled movements. They provide a smooth transition at the pool wall without requiring advanced timing or flip skills. Use open turns when precision and ease of execution outweigh speed, especially during swim lessons or low-intensity training sessions.

Benefits of Open Turn Technique

The Open Turn technique in swimming allows for greater control and faster transitions by enabling swimmers to keep their head above water, which improves orientation and reduces disorientation during turns. This method is particularly beneficial for beginners and triathletes as it simplifies the turn process and conserves energy by minimizing the need for complex underwater movements. Swimmers utilizing the Open Turn can maintain momentum and streamline their body more effectively, leading to improved overall lap times and efficient stroke continuity.

When to Use Flip Turn

Use a flip turn during freestyle or backstroke swimming when approaching the wall to maintain speed and efficiency. The flip turn is ideal for competitive swimmers who want to minimize time spent at the wall by streamlining their body position and propelling off quickly. It is less suitable for breaststroke or butterfly, which require open turns due to stroke rules.

Advantages of Flip Turn Technique

The Flip Turn technique offers significant advantages in competitive swimming by reducing wall contact time and maintaining momentum, which leads to faster lap transitions. Its streamlined body position minimizes drag, allowing swimmers to push off with greater force and efficiency compared to the Open Turn. Mastery of the Flip Turn also improves overall race strategy by enabling smoother, quicker directional changes, enhancing performance in freestyle and backstroke events.

Common Mistakes in Open and Flip Turns

Common mistakes in open turns include improper body positioning, such as not keeping the head aligned with the spine, and failing to execute a tight tuck leading to slower rotation. In flip turns, swimmers often misjudge the distance from the wall, resulting in either an incomplete somersault or a delayed push-off. Both turns can suffer from weak underwater streamline, reducing velocity and efficiency during the transition phase.

Training Tips for Mastering Swimming Turns

Mastering swimming turns involves specific training tips for both open turns and flip turns. Emphasize strong wall approaches and explosive pushes off with proper streamline positioning to maximize speed and efficiency. Incorporate drills focusing on body rotation, breath control, and timing to enhance fluidity and reduce transition times during both turn techniques.

Open Turn vs. Flip Turn: Which Is Faster?

Flip turns generally offer faster swim times compared to open turns due to their streamlined motion and continuous momentum. Open turns require swimmers to touch the wall with their hand before changing direction, causing a brief pause and loss of speed. Competitive swimmers often prefer flip turns in freestyle and backstroke events to maintain higher velocity and reduce transition time.

Choosing the Right Turn for Your Stroke and Skill Level

Open turns allow swimmers to touch the wall with one or both hands before pivoting, making them ideal for beginners or those refining stroke technique; they emphasize control and are common in breaststroke and butterfly. Flip turns, requiring a somersault before pushing off the wall, suit intermediate to advanced swimmers aiming for speed and efficiency, particularly in freestyle and backstroke events. Selecting the right turn depends on your stroke type and skill level, with open turns facilitating better technique learning and flip turns enhancing race performance.

Open turn Infographic

Flip turn vs Open turn in Sports - What is The Difference?


About the author. JK Torgesen is a seasoned author renowned for distilling complex and trending concepts into clear, accessible language for readers of all backgrounds. With years of experience as a writer and educator, Torgesen has developed a reputation for making challenging topics understandable and engaging.

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The information provided in this document is for general informational purposes only and is not guaranteed to be complete. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the content, we cannot guarantee that the details mentioned are up-to-date or applicable to all scenarios. Topics about Open turn are subject to change from time to time.

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