With turn times accounting for up to one third of the total race time, minor improvements in turning performance can lead to substantially improved event times. A successful swim turn results from a multitude of factors and requires a complex series of manoeuvres to optimise the total turning performance. The figure below represents an outline of some of these contributing factors in a tumble turn, as adapted from Hay's (1992) theoretical model of turning (See Fig. 1). Many components within this model work on a trade-off basis whereby there is an optimum level for each variable. By increasing one variable, there might be a detrimental effect on other factors that also affect performance and these have to be taken into account before prescribing technique changes. This paper focuses predominantly on the tumble turn (freestyle and backstroke), however many of the points can be directly related to the breaststroke and butterfly turns. Summary Points - Ensure velocity is maintained into the turn - do not treat the lead-up as a break. - Initiate rotation at an appropriate distance from the wall - do not turn too close. - Body position at wall contact is important - feet should be at 30-40 cm underwater, the arms and trunk fully extended and the knees flexed at around 120. - The line of action of the push-off forces should be in the direction of travel - avoid being in a position where it is necessary to arch the back to compensate for poor position during push-off. - Maintain streamlined position as a priority throughout push-off and the glide phase - streamline depth should be around 50 cm underwater to minimise wave drag. - Underwater kicking should not be performed too early and the swimmer should try to maintain a streamlined upper body while kicking. - Stroke resumption should occur at race pace.