Back Turn

Question 1

Feet out of shoes/stretcher

Answer 1

force body to stabilise

Question 2

Put drink bottle on head (during arms only)

Answer 2

achieve still head and body

Question 3

Sit at the finish and tap clearly in and out of the water with square blade

Answer 3

ensure vertical tap with outside hand before moving hands away

Question 4

Tap, feather, hands away, hands in, square, place

Answer 4

ensures sequence and unity of movements around the back turn

Question 5

Square blades

Answer 5

forces correct handle path

Question 6

Tap out and hold square before feathering

Answer 6

achieve correct sequence around back turn (tap, before feather)

Question 7

Feather blade in opposite direction

Answer 7

forces blade to be stepped clear of water

Question 8

Inside hand down shaft toward gate

Answer 8

emphasise outside arm controlling handle around the back turn

Question 9

Inside arm behind back, or placed palm up on handle

Answer 9

ensures handle is controlled around back turn with outside hand

Question 10

Maintain consistent handle path, don’t wave blade around

Answer 10

emphasises square and feather with inside hand

Question 11

Look over outside shoulder as handle is drawn to the body

Answer 11

helps full draw through with outside arm

Question 12

Both hands on end of handle

Answer 12

helps appreciate leverage

Question 13

Full stroke followed by arms only air stroke

Answer 13

ensures still body as hands move away

Question 14

Increasing pressure during strokes (e.g. 30-70%) and/or across a number of strokes (e.g. 3 strokes: light, medium, hard)

Answer 14

helps the blade extract cleanly from the water

Question 15

Swap left and right hand positions

Answer 15

better awareness and feeling of the role of each hand