**Breathing Into and Out of the Flip Turn**

We’ve recently observed some elite freestylers double breathing into their flip turns. This week we’ll discuss the pros and cons, as well as how you can learn and perfect this technique. We also look at the other side of the equation: how you breathe at the breakout.

<https://youtu.be/UQg4VVh6WJU?si=_cW-qCnAt98040B-&t=96>

**Monday**

**Turn Drills: Double-Breath Flip**

Attn swimmers and coaches: It can be OK – and even advantageous -- to double-breathe into your walls. But you need to know how to take that extra breath without upsetting your rhythm or balance. And you have to know *why* you’re doing it. Here’s what it looks like.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2189-turns-double-breath-flip> 

:05 - first breath

:06 - second breath

:12 - good underwaters

:21 - first breath

:22 - second breath

:23 - 2 strokes sight turn good underwaters

:32 - learn the timing

**Tuesday**

**Turn Drill: Air-Control Flip Turns**

You’ve got all that extra air in your lungs from a double breath. Don’t waste it! Here’s how to blow it out without blowing it.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1840-turns-air-control-flip-turn> 

:05 - allowing too much air to escape

:16 - controlling the exhale better underwaters

:27 - teach breath control

:38 - exhale through nose

:45 - hum through the turn

:53 - build awareness of the exhale

1:03 - continue practicing

**Wednesday**

**Free Drill: Vary Your Breathing**

We love this set of 25s to learn the skills needed for an *effective* double breath into the turn.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1037-freestyle-vary-your-breathing> 

:04 - breathe every stroke to the right

:13 - breathe every stroke to the left

:23 - breathe every 3rd

:40 - breathe every 4th

1:02 - breathe every 5th - focus on slow exhale

1:17 - 2-2-3

1:40 - 1-1

2:07 - no breather

**Thursday**

**Free Drill: One Goggle Breath**

Here’s one of the fundamental skills you need if you’re going to double-breathe into your flip turns.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2079-freestyle-one-goggle> 

:04 - low breath

:06 - low breath

:13 - look at the bodyline

:16 - very low

:25 - look at the profile and bodyline

scroll back to :21 - 

If you don’t look that good there

:25 - what do you look like here?

**Friday**

**Free Drill: Shoulder Breath**

Here’s another simple focus point that will improve your technique for taking an effective double breath into the turn.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2225-freestyle-shoulder-breath> 

:08 - connect cheek to arm

:12 - connect cheek to arm

:23 - swivel don’t tilt

:31 - building an early breath

:34 - buliding an early breath

**Saturday**

**Breathing in the Water: Constant Exhale?**

If you double-breathe into the turn, you want to use that extra air to maximize your pushoff, underwater kicks, and breakout. Here’s how to maximize that extra air.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3230-constant-exhale> 

:02 - nose

20 strokes

:31 - mouth

12 strokes

**Sunday**

**Free Drill: First Breath Second Arm**

If you double-breathe into the turn, here’s how to take best advantage of that air on your breakout.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1483-freestyle-first-breath> 

:09 - following the 1st stroke to air

:23 - following the 1st stroke of the opposite arm

:32 - following the 2nd arm or the 1st stroke of the 2nd arm

**Bonus:**

**Grant House: 50 Free Above Water – Data Play**

Grant House doesn’t double-breathe into his flip turn, but he demonstrates exceptional breakout technique, with head low and no breathing on the first stroke. These are the goals if you *do* decide to incorporate a double breath into your swimming.

**Teaching the Double Breath Turn**

**DB - 1 - Teach the low breath to the left**

:41 - slowmo

**DB - 2 - Teach the low breath to the right**

:29 - slowmo

**DB - 3 - 4-1**

:07 - breath 1

:08 - breath 2

:16 - breath 1

:17 - breath 2

:21 - right to left slight hesitation

:29 - right to left slight hesitation

:35 - left to right is very fast

:46 - early head turn

**DB - 4 - 4-1 TT**

:04 - put in the TT

:15 - left right

 :22 - right left delay

:29 - left right

:35 - right left better

:42 - right left best

**DB - 5 - Flags**

:04 - start double breath outside the flags but sight them

3 strokes in

:17 - flags

first breath before the flags

:19 - 2nd breath past flags

2 strokes in

**DB - 6 - Up Tempo**

:04 - too far - lost speed

:11 - a little better but still not there

:18 - starting to get it

:31 - follow the last stroke down and around

:38 - into great underwaters


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Apr. 30, 2024 - Breathing Into and Out of the Flip Turn