The crossover turn is the fastest back-to-breast transition, used by mostly all U.S. Olympians, such as 200 IM World Record Holder Ariana Kukors seen in this video.
At minimum, it is 0.3 seconds faster than a traditional open turn. On the middle turn of a 200 free race, would you do an open turn when everyone else does a flip turn? For the same reason, you should strongly consider incorporating a crossover turn into your arsenal of skills.
The most common reasons why people don't do the crossover turn are because of the greater level of difficulty and inability to get a breath on the wall.
Interestingly, those same facts apply to freestyle flip turns too, yet everyone does those.
Simply put, the crossover turn is a sideways flip turn:
At minimum, it is 0.3 seconds faster than a traditional open turn. On the middle turn of a 200 free race, would you do an open turn when everyone else does a flip turn? For the same reason, you should strongly consider incorporating a crossover turn into your arsenal of skills.
The most common reasons why people don't do the crossover turn are because of the greater level of difficulty and inability to get a breath on the wall.
Interestingly, those same facts apply to freestyle flip turns too, yet everyone does those.
Simply put, the crossover turn is a sideways flip turn:
- With your last backstroke arm stroke, extend toward the wall and roll onto your side. The extended arm is closest to the surface. The other arm remains at your side.
- Be sure not to roll past vertical onto your stomach before touching the wall. It helps to keep your shoulder behind your ear.
- Touch the wall and throw your head toward your knees to do a forward somersault.
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