How to Do a Forward Flip in the Water

Co-authored by Brad Hurvitz

Last Updated: March 28, 2024

A forward flip in the water is not all that challenging when you know how to do it. It is a little more challenging than the backflip, but the forward roll may help you if you plan on using it to execute a proper flip-turn while swimming laps.

Steps

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Begin by laying out on your stomach in the water. Keep your legs straight and as far out as the water as possible (if you would like to look nice while doing it).
Turn your head to the side and take a deep breath in, before you begin your forward roll.^{[1]
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Pull your knees in towards your chest and tuck your head in. The most desirable roll would include your nose touching your knees. If you would like to look nice, point your toes. Remember to hold this position for the rest of your roll.^{[3]
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Move your arms in a circular motion forward. Pull the water through and behind you to propel yourself upside down, all while keeping your body tucked in, knees to nose.^{[4]
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Once you're upside down, push the rest of the water up around you to spin back up right. Continue all the way around until you are vertical once again, but still in tucked into a ball.^{[5]
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Uncurl your body, straightening your legs and move your head so you are looking straight in front of you.
Using the flutter kick, propel yourself back to the surface of the water. It is best to stay as close to the surface of the water as you can. It will look prettier and seem more impressive. If you would like to do the roll deeper though, this will still work.^{[6]
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Come up and enjoy a nice breath of air that you may have been craving throughout the roll. Be careful not to breathe in to early though, or you may inhale a big gulp of water.
For a tumble turn, use the same method for this forward roll, but, once you have finished the roll, stay under the water, go onto your back, push the wall with your feet and turn back over onto your stomach.

How Can You Prevent Water From Getting Into Your Nose When You Flip Underwater?

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Question

I have a shallow pool. Is it OK to do flips?

Purple owly

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No. You will probably hit your head on the floor.

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My nose and ears hurt in the process. Any tips?

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If your nose hurts, probably because you haven't blown enough in the water to keep you through. If your ears hurt, don't panic, it'll get better it's just the water in your ear.

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What should I do to prevent breathing in too much water through my nose?

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Try purchasing a nose piece, this will help keep water from entering your nose.

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Tips

Before you do the flip focus on something directly in front of you; when you come back up you should be directly in front of the same thing.

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It might be easier if you push off the wall of the pool to boost yourself forward, but make sure you push hard because your body could scrape the wall.

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Make sure water doesn't get into your nose--you may have to breathe through it. You'll be going rather forcefully underwater and you don't want to get water up your nose because it hurts.

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