Backstroke? Hitting the wall?

Question

I'm new swimming backstroke. Long time ago, I heard someone said that you needed to count the strokes when you reach the flag, so you could estimate the distance to the wall. I'm not sure if that's correct, so what's your method?

Answer 1

count your stokes during warm up so it doesn't slow you down when competing.

Answer 2

They were right!  Counting the flags is a very reliable way of knowing when you hit the wall.  I know at an all out sprint I take 3 strokes to a finish and 2+1(turnover) into a turn.   I also find that counting the number of strokes per lap keeps me at a consistant pace.

Answer 3

i've been swimming back for quite a while. so i just kind of eyeball it and i can just estimate. but it is pretty much standard procedure to count your strokes from the flags, thats how i started and how basically everyone does it.

Answer 4

Basically, when you are swimming into the wall, there should be flags directly above you positioned 5 metres before you reach the wall. You should count the number of stroke it takes you from underneath the flags until your hand reaches the wall. This will differ in some pools and if you decide to tumble turn when you reach the wall. Also if there are no flags, but beams on the ceiling, you could count those.

Answer 5

yes its true!! first you should count how many it would take to touch the wall say it was 4 strokes. then minus 1 for your turns. its all timing.. you have to test it out and get use to it.

Answer 6

IDK!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

i use to have the same problem.

those ppl were right. wen u reach the flag cont your strokes. they will change depending on your speed but roughly mine is 5-6. wen i count about 5 i kinda do a butterfly kik under the water and look bak at the wall to see where it is. after a while is just becomes natural to know were the wall is lol

u can look on youtube at backstroke races and that will be more clear to u

happy backstroking lol

xx

Answer 8

Yup, count at the flags!  I take about 5 depending on speed and how much stregnth I'm putting into the stroke in the first place.  Sometimes there will be a different pattern on the lane lines at 5 yds/5m our from the wall too, but that's obviously not as accurate.  I had my 5 yr old lesson doing that three days ago!  (she takes 7 strokes)  :-)

Answer 9

So i use it too!!!!!First you go to the flags and start to count how many strokes till you get to the wall!

Answer 10

Okay, techically counting your strokes is correct. But being new in backstroke, your stroke count can change often. so:

1, before meets count your stroke in the different pools to be safe with your count. If your count is off you could hit the wall or have a bad flip.

2, I noticed most indoor pools have lights near the ends of the pools, so i pay attention to where the lights are. My count was always off so this is my own remedy.  next time you swim check if the lights are positioned at the end, because all pools ive swam in the lights are perfect for my method, but maybe im just getting lucky. Good Luck!

Answer 11

yes. when u meet the flags, u have to count the number of strokes it takes for you to hit the wall. the number is different based on if u flip turn, or just touch.