How to Do a Forward Flip in the Water

Last Updated: March 11, 2021

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

1
Lay out. 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).
2
Take a breath. Turn your head to the side and take a deep breath in, before you begin your forward roll.^{[1]
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3
Tuck your knees in. 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.^{[2]
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4
Begin moving your arms. 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.^{[3]
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5
Bring yourself up. 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.^{[4]
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6
Leave the tucked in position. Uncurl your body, straightening your legs and move your head so you are looking straight in front of you.
7
Kick to the surface. 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.^{[5]
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8
Emerge from the water. Come up and enjoy a nice breath of air that you may have been craving throughout the roll. Be careful not to breath in to early though, or you may inhale a big gulp of water.
9
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.

Community Q&A

Question

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

Purple owly

Community Answer

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

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

Community Answer

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.
Question

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

Community Answer

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

What if I get scared and panic?

Community Answer

Just try to think of your happy place and let the fear go, that will reduce the tenseness in you. Also try to relax, pretend you are having a nice warm bath.
Question

My stomach seems to be blocking the way. What can i do?

Community Answer

Just stand where you are in your depth, tuck your head down to your chest, push off of your feet and then lean forward, so you rotate, and then come back up to where you were standing.
Question

Why is my body shaking?

Community Answer

You could be shaking because you are nervous about doing a flip, or because your body is very cold.
Question

When I try to flip, I keep on doing a "side flip". How do I fix this? I start out good, but then one arm is propelling more, which causes me to side flip.

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

Try side flipping on both sides. If you are able to do both left and right side flips, you're able to do all side flips in between, including the one in the middle, which is called a forward flip, your goal. Also, your body follows where your eyes look. So if you look sideways, you will flip sideways. This is not a hard physical rule, but it is good to realize this. Finally, pay attention to moving your limbs symmetrically. Any asymmetry causes asymmetry in your flip as well.
Question

How do I eat underwater without getting water up my mouth?

Community Answer

What an odd question. There is no reason to eat underwater. You'll ruin your food and swallow bacteria and/or chemicals in the water.
Question

I keep getting water in my nose. What am I doing wrong?

Kitty4259

Community Answer

Plug your nose.
Question

How do I keep from getting chlorine in my nose when I do a forward flip?

Community Answer

When you start flipping, blow out air out of your nose.