The start of a new season is the perfect time to focus on skills rather than training.  At the top of the list are TURNS…and there are SEVEN turns that every swimmer needs to know.  This week we focus on five of the seven turns – the open turns: (1) Fly to Fly, (2) Fly to Back, (3) Back to Breast (open version), (4) Breast to Breast and (5) Breast to Free.

**Monday**

**All Strokes Drills (The Seven Competitive Turns)**

Here’s a quick overview of the seven turns that every competitive swimmer needs to know.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1927-all-strokes-the-seven-competitive-turns>

**Tuesday**

**James Guy: Butterfly Turn**

James Guy offers a master class in how to execute a Fly-to-Fly open turn.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2607-butterfly-turn>

**Wednesday**

**Shanteau (BONUS TURNS – Butterfly to Backstroke)**

For a closeup view of the Butterfly-to-Backstroke transition turn, we turn to US Olympian Eric Shanteau.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/743-bonus-turns-butterfly-to-backstroke>

**Thursday**

**Haufler Turns (Teaching Progressions for Back-to-Breast Turns –Open Turn)**

Here’s Steve Haufler’s 5-step teaching progression for the Back-to-Breast open turn.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/760-teaching-progressions-for-back-to-breast-turns-open-turn>

**Friday**

**Sarah Katsoulis: Breaststroke Turn**

Aussie Olympian Sarah Katsoulis demos how to place and use the hands for a flat-wall, Breast-to-Breast Turn

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1829-sarah-katsoulis-breaststroke-turn>

**Saturday**

**Turn Drill: Hot Hand Open Turn**

If you swim in the USA, where most pools have a gutter or “lip,” you should USE THE LIP.  Here’s how to do it without climbing up and out of the pool!

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2187-turns-hot-hand-open-turn>

**Sunday**

**Sandeno & Vendt (Breast to Free Turn)**

Closing out the week with a silent clip of US Olympians Erik Vendt and Kaitlin Sandeno executing the breast-to-free transition turn. What catches our eye is how quickly they get one hand off the wall, and how low they keep the head during the turn.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/567-breaststroke-freestyle-transition>

**App Update and Athlete Onboarding**

Glenn discussed the recent app update and emphasized the importance of athletes using the app for data entry rather than coaches. He mentioned conducting onboarding sessions for athletes, parents, and teams, and introduced a new data access system for age group parents, offering both basic and pro levels of data access. Glenn shared his pride in his wife Rachel's performance at her first dual meet, highlighting Northwestern's impressive results and pool records. He encouraged anyone with questions about the app to schedule a demo with him or Alex.

**Swimming Season and Technique Insights**

Glenn discussed the successful start of the swimming season and highlighted the positive atmosphere during a recent tri-meet, which included an unexpected feature in the New York Times. He then focused on teaching techniques for competitive swimming turns, emphasizing the importance of using gutters in U.S. pools and the advantages of proper technique. Glenn also shared insights from observing elite athletes like James Guy and Eric Chanteau, noting differences in their techniques despite similar coaching. He concluded by expressing his personal motivation to help people reach their potential and achieve happiness through swimming.

**Optimizing Swimming Techniques**

Glenn discussed techniques for swimming with minimal resistance, focusing on the importance of proper hand and foot placement, as well as the lack of resistance in Eric Chanteau's swimming style. He emphasized the significance of cutting a path with the knees and opening the feet at the last possible second to optimize performance. Glenn encouraged viewers to apply these techniques in their swimming or teaching practices to reach their full potential.

**Backstroke Turn Technique Training Session**

The meeting focused on teaching swimmers the back-to-breaststroke turn technique, emphasizing the importance of the ready position and practicing with both hands. The discussion covered different types of turns, including flat wall and gutter turns, with specific attention to hand positioning and leverage. The group watched videos of elite swimmers demonstrating proper technique, particularly highlighting the need for quick hand release off the wall to prevent slipping. The session concluded with a demonstration of a staggered hand turn by Brendan McHugh, an elite breaststroke swimmer, showcasing advanced techniques for experienced athletes.

**Swimming Techniques and Turn Improvements**

The group discussed swimming techniques, focusing on wall touches and turns. Helen and Glenn emphasized that simultaneous wall touches are illegal and difficult for officials to enforce, advising swimmers to simply tap the wall and move on. Barbara shared a video of Brendan executing a fast and low breaststroke turn, which Glenn praised for its speed and technique. The conversation concluded with a discussion about the evolution of swimming techniques in college and professional levels, noting the increased speed and efficiency of modern turns.

**Swimming Turns and Speed Techniques**

The discussion focused on swimming techniques, particularly turn approaches. Mark and Mike discussed how elite athletes maintain speed through turns rather than slowing down in anticipation, comparing it to a ball bouncing off a wall. Mike explained that teaching turns involves simple principles like changing direction quickly and making stroke adjustments before the turn, while Glenn shared an anecdote about Shemanovic being DQ'd due to his unusually fast turns. The conversation concluded with a discussion about the importance of dryland training, particularly core work, to help swimmers maintain speed and execute turns effectively.

**Swimming Turns: Research and Techniques**

The group discussed swimming techniques, focusing on spin turns and their superiority to traditional turns, as supported by research from Gary Hall Sr. They explored the mechanics of different turns, including breaststroke and butterfly, emphasizing the importance of teaching swimmers the difference between legal and optimal turns. Barbara suggested focusing on the crossover turn in the next session, while Beth shared insights from using a small 3-lane pool for WITs, highlighting the impact of timing and technique. The group agreed to plan content for the next meeting, considering topics like reverse butterfly or maintaining momentum into the wall.


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Oct. 14, 2025 - Open Turns