How to Flip Turn Like Michael Phelps and Caeleb Dressel

[@hilarywalton1143]

I am 61 and started swimming in a pool about a year and a half ago. This was really helpful...now to go put it into practice.

[@DerekMaas]

Awesome! I love to hear it

[@malcolmhales8181]

@@DerekMaas funnily enough. I've just started swimming again after a long lay off. I'm now 62, and swimming techniques have changed, so your channel is helping emensly. Thank you.

[@joequillun7790]

Same boat here. (67). Use-ta be a distance free styler. Agree with many changes today. Thanks for posting guys.

[@karenlhoule]

I’m a mediocre swimmer, at best. This video popped up in my feed…so I gave it a watch. Actually, I didn’t even make it all the way through, because I am no where near this caliber. But today in the pool, I figured…”why don’t I give it a try?” And it knocked 6 seconds per 100 yards off my time. So I wanted to thank you guys for this video!

[@DerekMaas]

Love it!! Keep up the good work!

[@kvsdude]

Thanks for posting this! As a later-in-life swimmer, I find myself out of breath after flip turns on distance sets. Getting off the wall quick seemed like it was worth the try. As a former basketball player, popping off the wall not only felt natural, but I am now able to get back into my stroke for a normal breath without falling apart.

[@treysheils8860]

Such an informative video! I’ll definitely use these tips!

[@DerekMaas]

Ok I better see them in use at practice tomorrow hahaha

[@justkidding7264]

@@DerekMaas practice rotation 720 degree.😵

[@willkittwk]

Amazing techniques. I reduced swimming to just he moves and kicks faster than the other guy like to lots of people tennis is just hitting back and forth till the other guy misses. All the work and techniques are what makes this look natural. It's harder to observe what's really going on in a pool but now you guys give me a better understanding.

[@DerekMaas]

Interesting. I played tennis in high school so I can see what you’re talking about with that analogy

[@ericstelmar8459]

YES! I can finally learn how to flip turn! Thank you Derek Maas 🥰

[@DerekMaas]

You are so welcome Mr. Stelmar. Very glad I could help you out.

[@bluedragooo]

Best flip turn guide that I’ve seen.

[@djapmaislindo]

Thank you for this well structured tutorial! I'm still a beginner in freestyle, lately I've been watching many other videos about the flip turn. This is my favourite so far. I'm gonna try "looking at the bottom part of the T" in my next session.

[@DerekMaas]

Glad it was helpful! I love comparing my videos to those of others to see what I can improve on!

[@maryubeda8324]

The best video out there for flip turns. Thank you!!!

[@DerekMaas]

You’re very welcome!

[@golfump]

best video's online for comp swimmers. Roll Tide ROLL!!!!

[@DerekMaas]

Roll Tide!!!

[@HMC2133]

This video is so helpful! it helped my daughter (10 years old) so much! Please keep it coming!

[@alexitosrv]

Thanks a lot for the video! It's a nice compilation of well explained tips. I started with three simple phases for the flip, and now I'm counting more than 10 well differentiated things to take into account for a successful flip turn. Oh my! Great content!

[@DerekMaas]

Yes! It can start to get very complex quickly. I would recommend on focusing on one or two things every time you do a flip and eventually it will start to come together.

[@Apoca_jm]

I know that I am way late for this comment, but for anyone watching this video; something that they don’t talk about but is seen in almost every clip is the single dolphin kick before they perform the flip turn. I did this randomly one day at practice trying to improve my flip turns and did the dolphin kick on accident and these clips show that it was not an accident that I had done, but rather a discovery

[@DerekMaas]

I should have mentioned that! I guess it’s so second nature to me that I don’t even think about it anymore

[@stuartlichty4250]

@@DerekMaas The quick dolphin kick seems to provide momentum for the forward roll and to get the legs overhead.

[@mjosejuarezlara]

wow it is real

[@tomekkk93]

You guys are the best omg this is the most accurate and detailed video about turns yet so clear and easy to understand! Thank you so much

[@DerekMaas]

Thank you!!

[@victorstrokin3369]

Hello from Australia, if you have the time could you please make a video about touch turns? I love your videos! Thanks!

[@DerekMaas]

Of course! I am actually working on one right now!

[@곰나라-h6y]

Thanks for the tips. Now I understand how to spin on wall. I bet my skills of swimming will be better. I'd really appreciate it. - Heyoung from Korea :)

[@DerekMaas]

You’re welcome, hope it helps!

[@gillianmelton6377]

Thanks, great info. I have been coaching for over 50 years and still learning . Love it.

[@DerekMaas]

I love to hear it! The sport is constantly evolving!

[@gillianmelton6377]

@@DerekMaas Why no recent You Tubes on Strokes and turns? You explain so well with latest techniques? Keep smiling.

[@DerekMaas]

@@gillianmelton6377 I’m working on two videos currently! (open turns and backstroke to breaststroke turns)

[@robf9562]

7:58 "The back of your palms." That would be what, my knuckles?

[@DerekMaas]

As in the back of your hands in general

[@RichBarilla]

This was fantastic. Well made and thought out training. Thank you!

[@ZamTheCatLover]

this really help thank you for doing this i started swimming 3 years ago this really helps

[@DerekMaas]

No problem!

[@ZamTheCatLover]

@@DerekMaas keep up the good work

[@trempire7514]

This video is brilliant, it's going to help many swimmers throughout globe!

[@DerekMaas]

Thank you!!

[@charleswilliams2243]

I’m 98 started swimming last week, this really helped 👍🏻

[@DerekMaas]

Glad it helped!

[@arianadenni9329]

I’ve been looking for a video or instruction from my coaches that is this specific for years! Thank you!

[@DerekMaas]

Glad I could help!!

[@SinghNikhilDLFRK]

Great video, I’m gonna use this tips for myself and my swim team

[@DerekMaas]

Awesome!

[@thesuzannachan1]

Another great video. Thank you, Derek. Greetings from HK.

[@DerekMaas]

You’re very welcome!

[@mikekn7033]

Great tutorial. Thank You!

[@handyandy4957]

Great tips thx ill use these well and get to olympics someday

[@danielcercasgarcia994]

thanks so much for this awesome advices, I don't know them, in any other videos don't speak about the technique for to do turns. every day in swimming I am learning something new greetings

[@DerekMaas]

You're very welcom! Glad I could help!

[@NRClips3414]

Great video, good luck on your last year of college👍

[@DerekMaas]

Thank you!

[@hollandhawkeye7158]

Wow! This might be my favorite Derek Maas video, out of many awesome videos! The explanations and details are fantastic! And? That Bama facility looks amazing! If I were a top swimmer, that’s where I’d want to go to college!👍🏊‍♂️🏊‍♂️

[@JulianDN]

This is so helpful I love these 2

[@bobfromtadley1867]

Good tips, trying to improve my 1600m PB and need to do more flips, but they are tiring when swimming long distance

[@DerekMaas]

Yeah man, the key is focusing on your turns every day in practice and then once you get in a race it should be much easier. Keep working!

[@jeronimomartinez5325]

Great video!!! it was super helpful Can't wait for the underwaters one

[@DerekMaas]

Thanks man! I’ll get working on it

[@hulusicelebi5013]

Derk dank je voor heel nuttigge en fijne punten.👏👏👏

[@DerekMaas]

Graag gedaan, blij dat je genoten hebt van de video!

[@uDubRiceBoy]

wow wow wow, thank you for the extremely helpful content!

[@thkatandi]

I love this. I find your channel a bit more helpful than my swimpro because you have more instruction and less talking. Can you tell me how to stop the water from going up your nose when flipping please? Trying to be in sync is so hard but i'll keep going.

[@thecrab_man]

I've swam against this guys school at a swim meet b4 and let me say...these man's on som

[@ricardoblancoisasi8594]

Thank u, love these tips

[@DerekMaas]

You are very welcome!

[@maryamyaqub8172]

Can you please make a detailed video on breath control i.e. when and when not to make bubbles (like when and when not to exhale) while doing flip turn, back flip turn and open turn. I am struggling on breath control while doing turns for a long period of time

[@lancerobinson8364]

Ok great video but I have ask. 2:36 why were you banging the keyboard on a locked computer? 🤣😂

[@robohippy]

As for using arms to pull you through a flip turn, yes, every one does it. I pull with my palms rather than the back of my hands. This is a simple leverage advantage. With the back of the hand pull, you are only able to engage your deltoid muscles. With the palms, you use your biceps and all of your chest muscles. You also pull with a slightly bent arm, just like your standard pull in freestyle. You can pull straight arm, and for elite level swimmers, but kind of like the straight arm pull in the 50 meter and the last 10 or so meters of any race, it takes more energy, and most of the time you want the bent arm. Rotating your palms over is a non issue. One of Michael Phelps' super powers was getting under the back wash, which is some thing I have yet to see discussed in any flip turn video I have watched, and that is pretty much every one I could find. In sprints, he goes deeper and farther than any one else out there, but some are starting to do this more now.

[@DerekMaas]

True, the palms vs back of hands seems to be really dependent on the type of event you are swimming, with sprint events probably leaning towards the back of the hands. As for the depth of the turn for Phelps, what really helped him do this was breaking under the surface before he started the turn, as that set up a deeper push off angle for him.

[@robohippy]

@@DerekMaas I will have to check that out as I don't remember that part, seemed like he was pretty much the same as all the other swimmers other than he aimed down when he came off the wall. Another thought on the flip turns, and this pertains to speeding up the rotation by tucking tighter. I understand the part about the science teacher sitting in the chair with the weights, which is the same thing that ice skaters do when they go into those warp factor 10 spins. I am leaning to the faster rotation not coming from the folding, but from bringing the legs over the top. I do have more of a gymnastics back ground than a swimming back ground.... So, in gymnastics tumbling, they want you to spring across the floor, then 'punch' the floor, and the purpose of that is to convert forward momentum into vertical momentum. As near as I can tell, this is what bending at the waist does as your back makes a wall against forward momentum, and there is a bit of give to that. The little dolphin kick you do helps push the hips forward, then you have to bring your legs over the top. I start with my legs straight till my heels are out of the water, and then tuck them in to speed up the rotation. Not sure about the back of the hands. If you are lifting any weights, you can pull very little weight with your deltoids. You can pull a whole lot more with your biceps and the slightly bent arm because you can use more muscle groups. I only experimented a little bit with the deltoid pull. The only time I ever saw it used was by one coach/channel that was claiming that using the arms to add rotation was 'wasted motion' but the swimmer he used to demonstrate it with was using the deltoid pull. Yes, I do think outside the box.....

[@robohippy]

Well, I looked up a bunch of Michael Phelps videos to check head position in his flip turns. Most of the shots were for TV, so they show the approach, then switch to underwater and that final part before the tuck and flip part is missing. I did see one clip from Beijing where his head is slightly negative/chin tucked a bit, and another one or two where his head is a bit high, but not too high. In observing as many flip turns both on TV and on You Tube, it seems that most of the elite swimmers lift their heads a bit before initiating the tuck. Me, who over analyzes everything, am wondering if this is what in aviation we call 'adverse yaw'. In bicycle terms, this is if you are going to make a sharp left turn, you swing the bike out to the right first which gives you a better angle and lean for the turn. In swimming, I would compare it to how your head comes up out of the water some what high in the fly and more so in breast stroke, then you dive your head down to add to acceleration. So, for a flip turn, you actually would want the head slightly high so when you initiate the tuck, you are 'diving' into it. You can't do this from a slight negative head position. It can be one of those things that people do, but don't realize they are doing it. For sure, the biggest indicator that my head is too high is if I get a big ker'thump sound when I tuck my chin in... I have played around with going deeper and more shallow when coming off the wall. I haven't been able to determine that head position contributes at all to how deep I go. Seems to be more about foot position on the wall, and/or how tight or loose I tuck. Some thing else to experiment with. I will practice some turns with a deltoid pull rather than a bicep curl to see if it makes much difference for me.

[@DerekMaas]

@@robohippy I agree and this adverse yaw idea is interesting. I would say another reason why they lift their heads is in order to look up higher at the t on the wall and get a more consistent push off.

[@robohippy]

I do remember from gymnastic days that I am supposed to look with my eyes, and not my head.... Easier to say than do.....

[@joesr31]

Why would under the surface be less resistance? I would assume since water resistance is more than air, it would be better to flip turn near the surface.

[@DerekMaas]

Good question - the surface tension of the water is what creates more resistance if any part of your body is breaking through.

[@DantesDeamon]

Exceptional quality content.

[@DerekMaas]

Thanks!

[@KAFaye-nk5tl]

i’ll give the double flip turn a try!

[@DerekMaas]

Awesome!

[@alexandrwashington5701]

Thank you guys for your videos, they're very informative and therefore incredibly useful 👍🏻🙂

[@Madelinewolf17]

tysm because Im 14 hiting a 26 but I can’t seem to drop time

[@DerekMaas]

You got it 💪 keep working hard!

[@lvt8studio]

Your videos have all been informative Derek thank you so much and keep them coming!

[@DerekMaas]

Thanks for the support, I definitely will!

[@kevinqew]

Amazing video , really like the tip about going under the surface to initate the turn. My daughter is 7 in competive swimming, has a amazing backstroke turn but her freestyle turn is horrible. I think training going under water will help her a lot. Question about the backstorke turn are we allowed only one kick in front crawl?

[@Diogo.Ribeiro_]

Awesome videos!! You guys really explain things without mystery…

[@DerekMaas]

Glad we could help!!

[@gabeo.731]

Wow , thank you !

[@sonideswal8297]

Thanx for the video dude. I will also like to get some tips like how much away from the wall the flip turn shoul be. Woul you please?

[@marieastutz1098]

Derek and friends, tks for the video! The two freestyle strokes for a faster backstroke turn.... do you know if this is currently legal for Masters? Tks again.

[@DerekMaas]

Yes! I would definitely recommend its use in masters as well!

[@monulik23]

Love your videos. Can you please somehow point out which swimmer I should be looking at when there is more of them. Sometimes it is hard to tell. :)

[@DerekMaas]

Yes! That’s something others have commented as well so I will work on it.

[@yasmineelganainy6780]

Thank you about this video 👍

[@DerekMaas]

You’re welcome 👍

[@carmenrodriguezcabello8520]

¡Wow! Excelente video. Muy claro y completo. Me han hecho observar detalles importantes para mejorar mi vuelta. Gracias y felicidades. 💦

[@DerekMaas]

De nada! Estoy alegre que yo podía ayudar.

[@eh7602]

Thanks boys, interesting last name by the way. I live near the river Maas. Dutch heritage?

[@DerekMaas]

Yes, we do have Dutch heritage, and actually grew up in Holland, Michigan! But the name is actually Italian derived - originally 'Maaso'.

[@anniechung6452]

for the looking at the t one I kept swimming until I see the curve then I do the flip turn

[@DerekMaas]

That’s a good way to do it as well, especially if you are comfortable with the pool

[@thiegaleon3222]

Great video!

[@DerekMaas]

Thank you!

[@Boballerz]

Man this is the idea i was looking for but my main concern is water getting is my nose while turning ,it fills up my brain

[@DerekMaas]

Work on blowing bubbles as you turn or you could invest in a noseclip!

[@TheWestIsNext001]

Thank you for this.

[@glug307]

God loves you guys!!!

[@scotttromp]

Yo, nice work. I don't watch swim videos because I usually disagree with technique completely. Your turn is solid, reasons behind the why is maybe questionable but still solid. I would say you could take a split second longer to get set on the wall tho. Looks like you are extending your leg for the push before your feet are placed. It is faster in and out but can lead to inconsistent pushes and less power. The most important thing is your exit speed over execution speed. I did a tutorial vid back in the day and never did more but I Wish I had. You probs could build a pretty successful channel of you can find the time to post monthly vids

[@DerekMaas]

Love this analysis! This is definitely a great point. Also - I am working on another video now - but you’re right! I need to find time to edit/film more consistently

[@handyandy4957]

2:36 funny transition btw wonder what hes typing

[@DerekMaas]

Hahaha

[@Zayneiszayne]

Whered you go😭

[@YoungL05230]

Thanks man !

[@lapachanga4368]

Con razon son buenos nadando, con los predios que tienen cualquier pais saca buenos nadadores

[@houtansadeghi]

Have you ever overshoot the wall. In a 25 m pool your heel could hit the upper side of the pool.

[@DerekMaas]

Hahaha I have done this before but not too hard. Did you do this?

[@houtansadeghi]

@@DerekMaas unfortunately I did. Extremely painful for a while. Then it got better but 15 years later I sometimes feel pain in the same area of the same heel. Like any broken bone it also reminds you of pain years later. I was too excited to win the race. Good old days.

[@malachithomas7818]

9:30 just would like to point out if you do wanna take 2 strokes start the first stroke on your back and then do your second one so you don't get dq'ed

[@DerekMaas]

Great point! Thank you!

[@Repienk]

Are you gonna post a video on how to breath for different strokes and distances

[@DerekMaas]

Yeah I can do that at some point!

[@animichael6883]

QnA: How to I hold my breath longer during Flip Turns so then I can Maximise my Dolphin Kicks/Butterfly Kicks without running out of breath while not getting water up my nose

[@cranker7754]

take a deep breath before the turm, and always try to do long underwaters in practice, trust me it will help in the long run

[@DerekMaas]

I agree with @Cranker. The biggest part of running out of breath in my opinion comes from not having practiced long underwaters. As for water up the nose, you can try to lift your upper lips up to your nose or try a noseclip to stop the water completely.

[@casualartist4202]

5:46 those are Speed Sockets, but both are still good

[@MOTORRAD_ONLINE]

2:35 Pure intelligence. Indicated by fast typing on a locked screen.

[@Swimmer47]

I am a little afraid my head will hit the wall. So, where do I tuck? Have a tendency to flip too soon and also twist right.

[@ryanryan7804]

This guy is making me laugh man

[@yoo-bihnhur1664]

Wait can you really basically do corkscrew for the second to last stroke right before doing your flip turn in backstroke?

[@DerekMaas]

Yes, exactly!!

[@baktijrsniper1684]

Good

[@romanygunasekera5489]

That was very interesting. Thank you and keep your infor going

[@xavier_tyrese8600]

thanks man

[@владимирлескин-е9ч]

As for # 1 tip: I practice both crawl and backstroke, for this reason sometimes I forget kicking and glide into wall in crawl because of the habit from backstroke where it's not allowed, to avoid disqualification. Thanks for your videos!

[@DerekMaas]

Hmm I would continue to kick in both strokes to drive momentum into the walls. It will only be illegal if you are significantly away from the wall when you flip onto your stomach.

[@skolatti]

have u ever used the arena carbon core fx? if u have, did u like it?

[@DerekMaas]

No, I’ve never worn it but I have teammates who really like the arena suits for breaststroke especially.

[@wordupmybrotha]

Should my heels touch the wall when I push off the wall?

[@justinthematrix]

I just can’t seem to rotate straight over I’m always angled

[@rosalbaprietorubio3519]

El truco de hoy... "Mirar la parte inferior de la T." Iré con esa guía a la piscina.

[@DerekMaas]

Eso!!

[@kolboch]

good video!

[@youdiliang]

So are you supposed to do a butterfly kick and will that get you get dq cuz i did that once on backstoke and i got dq but im not sure if i did 2 freestyle arms on my stomach or just 1.🤔🤔🤔

[@kershspeedrunaccount]

what about the butterfly kick?

[@adanegulti6664]

Interesting

[@Devillers-y9q]

很棒 great

[@HK-bc9hh]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@treyduke8920]

Im on my way to a regional tournament rn

[@DerekMaas]

Hope it went well!

[@treyduke8920]

@@DerekMaas it did we came 4th out of 1000

[@bigchungusrbx3105]

5:46 I where those goggles but the speed socket version

[@DerekMaas]

Nice man I wear the speed socket too I just put the wrong name I think

[@Qqqss-u6t]

What's the background music?

[@rizzpro]

I have a 1:00.67 for 100 freestyle scy but my turns are extremely slow so I think if they fast I could drop like 1-2 seconds

[@AZHOLEN1]

I feel like MP, then water gets in my nose after the flip and I panic🤪

[@DerekMaas]

Hahaha

[@1023Endurance]

2:36 what you trying to type man lol

[@handyandy4957]

Ikr

[@DerekMaas]

Was just a joke hahaha

[@grahamkulp4408]

not to be that guy but i think those r speed sockets

[@DerekMaas]

Yeah hahah I noticed I put the wrong name but it was already right after I uploaded it unfortunately

[@grahamkulp4408]

@@DerekMaas i was looking at your times and don’t u have the Wave 2 trials cut for the 100 breast? did u swim at trials?

[@DerekMaas]

@@grahamkulp4408 yes, I haven’t had a great meet so far (added a little in the 100) but I’m excited for the 200 br and 100 fly later this week!

[@Walleggwp]

Came here to learn how to flip like Tony Hawk, learnt to flip like Michael Phelps

[@DerekMaas]

Hahaha that’s a first but I’ll take it

[@ZamTheCatLover]

R.i.P headphone users

[@DerekMaas]

Too loud?

[@ZamTheCatLover]

@@DerekMaas at the start

[@alexander_richter]

Thats a speedsocket 2.0 not a vanquisher 2.0

[@zzzzzzztnfburrr]

Holland to Alabama. Noce.

[@321ssteeeeeve]

the one thing phelps was good at was underwater streamline and underwater propulsion, the best in the world. All other aspects of his swimming are just barely average. His underwaters allowed him to excelled in mid distance events only, and mid distance just happens to be the bulk of olympic swimming. Therefore phelps is quite overrated

[@DerekMaas]

Hahaha he also built an amazing ability to remove lactic acid which may have been partially genetic. This allowed him to swim huge schedules at competitions.