Open Turn Drill Progression

This three-step progression can help you learn the proper technique for an open turn.

Step 1: Set Up Wall Hold

The first step helps you get more comfortable dropping your elbow on the side you’ll be dropping and turning toward. This should be the same side that you would normally hang out on as you wait on the wall during practice.

To execute this step, place both hands on the wall and simply drop the elbow of the side that you want to be closer to the bottom of the pool. Most swimmers keep their stronger or dominant arm holding onto the wall, but whichever is more comfortable for you works fine.

Step 2: Elbow Drop and Knee Drive

In the second step, you’ll combine the elbow drop with a knee drive to plant your feet on the wall. The knee tuck is typically the slowest part of an open turn, so be sure to point your toes as you would when kicking freestyle and tuck your knees up under your body to move as quickly as you can to plant your feet on the wall.

Step 3: Brush Your Hair

The last step of the drill progression works the push-off, and I call it the shark fin or brush your hair.

To execute, bend the elbow of the arm that’s still connected to the wall and recover over the water to reach for the opposite hand that’s now in streamline. As the hands meet above your head, push through your feet and off the wall.  

Work through these steps in order, with the first and second steps progressing slowly, and then build your speed with more practice until you’re executing clean, fast open turns every time.

Training with a USMS club and working with a coach can help you continue to improve your technique.