I often smash my arm on the edge of the pool while doing the backstroke. Surely, this can’t be common! What are some tips for avoiding this?
Edit: I learned about backstroke flags which could help, but my pool doesn’t have them. Perhaps I should’ve included a picture of my empty pool.
That’s what the flags are for!
Tyler said:
That’s what the flags are for!
I don’t think my pool has flags, or I just haven’t noticed them.
Tyler said:
That’s what the flags are for!
I don’t think my pool has flags, or I just haven’t noticed them.
Most pools have a differently colored marker on the lane lines when you’re about 10 yards/meters from the wall. You can use that to count strokes to avoid hitting it.
@Nile
I’ve only seen markers for 5 yards/meters, never 10.
Willoughby said:
@Nile
I’ve only seen markers for 5 yards/meters, never 10.
I wasn’t sure about the distance; 10 feels like a long way!
Willoughby said:
@Nile
I’ve only seen markers for 5 yards/meters, never 10.
There’s usually a single marker ten yards out from the wall one direction (fifteen the other way). In competition, you can’t go underwater past the 15-yard mark.
@Wynne
That’s incorrect. There’s a yellow marker at the 15-yard/meters point, but the lane lines aren’t solid for 10 yards.
Willoughby said:
@Wynne
That’s incorrect. There’s a yellow marker at the 15-yard/meters point, but the lane lines aren’t solid for 10 yards.
Yes, there’s a yellow marker at 15 (which is ten yards from the approaching wall), then the last five yards are solid color.
@Nile
There are usually solid colored lanes for five meters at each wall.
Without flags, if your form is good, try tilting your head to look ‘upside down’.
Blai said:
Without flags, if your form is good, try tilting your head to look ‘upside down’.
Interesting! I’ll give that a shot.
Blai said:
Without flags, if your form is good, try tilting your head to look ‘upside down’.
Interesting! I’ll give that a shot.
Remember to breathe out from your nose when looking upside down, or you might get water up it.
@Tamsin
Breathing can be tricky, especially since my face is usually out of the water. Thanks for the tip!
Blai said:
Without flags, if your form is good, try tilting your head to look ‘upside down’.
This technique helps me avoid collisions too.
Count how many strokes it takes from the flags to the wall for your wall touch or flip turn. Adjust as needed if you miss.
Reed said:
Count how many strokes it takes from the flags to the wall for your wall touch or flip turn. Adjust as needed if you miss.
Not all pools have flags or marked tiles below.
Reed said:
Count how many strokes it takes from the flags to the wall for your wall touch or flip turn. Adjust as needed if you miss.
What can I do if there are no flags?
Reed said:
Count how many strokes it takes from the flags to the wall for your wall touch or flip turn. Adjust as needed if you miss.
What can I do if there are no flags?
Count your strokes every 25m or 25y, depending on your pool’s length. Personally, I don’t do backstroke without flags.
Reed said:
Count how many strokes it takes from the flags to the wall for your wall touch or flip turn. Adjust as needed if you miss.
What can I do if there are no flags?
Look for color changes on the lane lines.