Varsity requirement

Question
QUESTION: Over a strange course of time, I developed a fear of flip turns, andhave begun to panic when I attempt them. Now I am unable to do them, neither on the wall, nor tumble in wide spaces. Freestyle is not my main stroke, but my high school coach says I need to know how to flip to be on varsity. Is this true? I find this unfair, because the turn I created for freestyle is much faster than my flip turn. And as mentioned, I don't specialize in freestyle, so it's not like I swim it at meets.

ANSWER: First, the coach question. It does seem ridiculous to me (I would use times, need and year to determine varsity) but he is the coach and can make those decisions. He might be trying to get you to do them and using it as motivation. Most practices are at least 50% (usually, much higher) freestyle so it is an important skill to learn. In addition, if you're a breaststroker you can't do IM's because you need to flip there too, and most breaststrokers swim IM.

The point of another turn being faster than a flip turn...maybe for you it is NOW, (as an open turn is always faster for beginners because they can learn it quicker) but in the end a flip turn will always be much faster.

My question for you is about your fear.
* Are you afraid of hitting your feet on the wall?
* Are you panicking over missing the wall?
* Are you afraid of water going up your nose?
* Do you hate the upside down feeling? (this is a proprioceptive issue)
* Is it a full grown phobia or just an uncomfortable feeling? Do you get sick and sweaty just thinking about it on land? If so, it's a phobia and more serious.
* Can you do a handstand in the water? And can you do a somersault on land? If so, then you can learn a flip turn.

If you would like to learn how to do flip turns, I have an excellent progression for teaching them. I also can help you get over your panic but I need to know more about what is causing the panic. Let me know, and best of luck with your swimming this year.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I do "know" how to do flip turns, I have even taught others. For that reason and the anxiety you mentioned, I do think it's a phobia. I can do a somersault on land, but I have never been able to do handstands in the water. I'm actually afraid of hitting my head. I'm also an open water swimmer, and the thought of flipping makes me think I'm going to crack my head on a rock or something, though rationally, I know I can't.
Thank you for the previous question.

Answer
Hi Karen, I think I answered your follow-up but it showed up on my message board so maybe I didn't. There are ways of getting over the phobia, though it might take a psychologist or a really good swim teacher. Either way, it could take a lot of work and probably money which I bet isn't worth it for you.

I do have an idea, though. Back when flip turns were getting perfected, there was a type which was more of a sideways turn. You would swim into the wall and do a "sideways flip". You would never be upside down so maybe the fear would not be a problem.

If your right hand was in front, you get onto your right side. Then you pike (bend at the waist)and tuck your knees. (A pike is a little slower than a good flip turn but still works.)Your right hand would line up with your left, streamline and push-off on your right side.

If you can push-off a little deeper (the turn leaves you on the surface which is slower), then you should be all right for a good streamline and breakout.

I will think about this some more and see if I can come up with some drills that might help you get over the flip. If you have a friend you trust it would help a lot.