How to Master your IM Transition for Backstroke to Breaststroke
Focus on these three phases of the back to breast transition for more efficient turns
In any IM race, your transitions between the strokes are critical moments where you can gain or lose time. Those swimmers with the tightest transitions are likely to win, so it’s a good idea to work on these important elements in training.
Here, we’re going to look at the three focus areas that can help you improve your backstroke to breaststroke transitions.
The Approach
Anytime you’re swimming backstroke into the wall, it’s important to know where you are so you don’t hit your head and so that you can consistently reach the wall with the same arm every single time. Knowing your stroke count means you won’t have to look back toward the wall as you approach the turn, which can slow you down and cause you to lose much of the momentum you’ve built up while swimming down the length of the pool.
The Flip
Once you’ve reached the wall and planted your hand there, bend your knees and bring your feet up to the wall as quickly as you can. Plant your feet hip width apart and get ready to burst off the wall.
The Push-Off
The most important piece of this transition is the push-off. Quickly getting into a crouched position with feet firmly planted will help you carry more speed through the turn. Push off forcefully with your harms in a tight streamline. As you glide away from the wall under the surface, begin your breaststroke underwater pull-out.
