Touch Turns for Breaststroke and Butterfly

For our symmetrical strokes we use ‘touch turns’, which requires a two–handed touch and quick tuck-and-turn to continue with speed. Whilst this may seem the simple technical turn, it still requires concentration and timing to ensure a full stroke before the glide phase.

Performing a touch turn in breaststroke and butterfly involves smoothly transitioning from swimming towards the pool wall to pushing off and continuing the swim. Here’s a step-by-step guide for executing a touch turn in breaststroke and in butterfly.

How to perform a touch turn in Breaststroke:

• Approach the Wall – Swim towards the pool wall using the breaststroke technique.

• Timing – Start the turn when you are about one arm’s length away from the wall.

• Final Stroke – Take your final breaststroke arm pull, bringing your hands towards your chest.

• Glide and Extend – Glide for a moment with your arms extended forward.

• Rock and roll – after making contact with two hands at the wall, rock backwards to plant both feet at the wall, rotate your body quickly and bring your feet over, positioning them to hit the wall.

• Push Off – Push off the wall with your legs. You can execute a breaststroke kick or a dolphin kick to gain momentum.

• Underwater Phase – Glide underwater with streamlined arms and either a breaststroke kick or dolphin kick, maintaining a streamlined position.

• Start your breaststroke pull and kick after the underwater phase and continue swimming.

 

How to perform a touch turn in Butterfly:

• Approach the wall – swim towards the pool wall using the butterfly stroke technique.
• Timing – start the turn when you are about one arm’s length away from the wall.

• Final stroke – take your final butterfly arm pull, bringing your hands towards your hips.
• Glider and extend – glide for a moment with your arms extended forward.
• Touch the wall – extend your arms forward and use your hands to reach out and touch the wall simultaneously.
• Leg position – rotate your body quickly and bring your feet over, positioning them to hit the wall.
• Push off – push off the wall with your legs. You can execute a dolphin kick to gain momentum.
• Underwater phase – glide underwater with streamlined arms and perform a dolphin kick, maintaining a streamlined position.
• Breakout – start your butterfly arm pull and dolphin kick after the underwater phase and continue swimming.

 

Tips for an Efficient Breaststroke and Butterfly Touch Turn:

Practice Timing: Work on the timing of your turn to ensure you initiate the somersault at the right distance from the wall.

Streamline Position: Maintain a streamlined position both during the touch and the push-off to reduce resistance in the water.

Powerful Push-Off: Use a strong push-off from the wall to gain momentum for the next lap.

Underwater Glide: Make the most of the underwater phase by gliding efficiently before starting your next breaststroke pull and kick.

Consistency: Practice touch turns regularly to build muscle memory and improve the fluidity of your breaststroke turns.

Remember to adapt these steps to your comfort and swimming style. Consistent practice and refinement will contribute to more efficient and effective touch turns in breaststroke.