Turning Over From Backstroke to Front Crawl

Is there an easy way of turning over from backstroke to front crawl or breaststroke? I seem to have a problem with this.

There is no actual technique as such for turning over from backstroke to swimming a stroke on your front, but I completely understand your frustration on this one.

You probably turn from back to front and feel it is the most untidy and clumsy movement of your swimming!

The best way to describe the kind of movement you need is a ‘log roll’.

As you swim on your back performing your backstroke your body position is long, flat and horizontal (assuming your technique is correct).

Your backstroke arms will be pulling one after the other, so one arm will always be out of the water or stretched out along the side of your head.
Perform your log roll either with one arm by your head and one by your side, or with both arms by your sides, whichever is most comfortable for you.

When you actually roll, you must ensure you do not bend your knees up, do not raise your head out of the water and do not let your hips sink. In other words maintain your long flat stretched out position and simply roll onto your front.
From there you can begin to swim whichever swimming stroke you wish to do from there.

The log roll is the best way to move from back to front or indeed from front to back quickly and decisively, whilst at the same time maintaining stability in the water.

The moment you raise your head, bend your knees or allow your hips to drop the result will be that unstable sinking feeling!

Maintain a flat position for a smooth transition from back to front and this will maintain the rhythm of your swimming stroke.

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