@Reed
My pool doesn’t have these.
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?
Are there ladders at both ends of your pool?
@Evren
Yes, but I haven’t noticed if I can see them. I’ll check.
Where are you looking when you do backstroke? I avoid this by looking at the ceiling to gauge my position relative to the wall. There should be some indicators nearing the end.
Haze said:
Where are you looking when you do backstroke? I avoid this by looking at the ceiling to gauge my position relative to the wall. There should be some indicators nearing the end.
I usually look straight up, but my ceiling is pretty uniform, so it’s hard to tell. There’s a diving board on one side of the pool which helps, but not the other side.
I have visual points on the pool roof. After a certain point, I know the wall is three strokes away. If I feel I’m too far, I reduce my speed and do more of a glide.
Zenith said:
I have visual points on the pool roof. After a certain point, I know the wall is three strokes away. If I feel I’m too far, I reduce my speed and do more of a glide.
I might need to ask my pool to add visual markers since the ceiling is very repetitive on one side.
Count strokes from flags leading to the wall. It’s an acquired skill.
Zaden said:
Count strokes from flags leading to the wall. It’s an acquired skill.
Any way to do this without flags? (My pool lacks them)
Zaden said:
Count strokes from flags leading to the wall. It’s an acquired skill.
Any way to do this without flags? (My pool lacks them)
Count your strokes from wall to wall.
Zaden said:
Count strokes from flags leading to the wall. It’s an acquired skill.
Any way to do this without flags? (My pool lacks them)
Look for notable ceiling features—a light or beam—and count from there. Check it out when you first enter the pool. 
Flags indicate there are 5 meters to the wall. After those, I know how many strokes it takes before hitting the wall unless I flip.
Dylan said:
Flags indicate there are 5 meters to the wall. After those, I know how many strokes it takes before hitting the wall unless I flip.
That’s true for a meter (25m or 50m) pool, but in a 25y pool, they’re usually 5 yards from the end. I grew up swimming meters, so this took some adjustment for me.
Dylan said:
Flags indicate there are 5 meters to the wall. After those, I know how many strokes it takes before hitting the wall unless I flip.
But not every pool has these. The one I use was built as a leisure pool and lacks flags, making it tricky.
The lifeguard chair is a good indicator; it’s usually near the wall left or right, signaling it’s close.
If no flags are present, just count strokes and flip over sooner.
In my experience, I look for landmarks—a ladder, a wall sign—and count strokes from there.
You gradually build tolerance for it until it doesn’t hurt anymore.
Daire said:
You gradually build tolerance for it until it doesn’t hurt anymore.
Maybe I could try wearing arm guards link.
I see flags only at either end. In an indoor pool, I follow a ceiling line; outdoors, I’m getting used to the lane markers.