WATCH: Caeleb Dressel Shows Off Turn Speed

by Michael Hamann 40

January 26th, 2022 News, Training

Ever wondered how some of the best sprinters in the world turn up the speed and sharpen their skills? Caeleb Dressel, the fastest man in American history and one of the fastest sprinters in world history gave us a little glimpse into a fast-paced turn drill at Florida practice yesterday. 

The group found a creative use for the small space between the bulkheads at Florida’s indoor pool, doing a drill reminiscent of “gassers” on a basketball court. The drill consists of six lengths (five turns) in a section of the pool that appears to be 3 or 4 meters in length. 

While University of Florida head coach Anthony Nesty and Dressel’s former coach Gregg Troy are legendary for their demanding workouts, they’re also clearly able to find some time to fine tune skills. 

As the fastest man ever in short course yards, Dressel certainly knows his way around the walls. He used his lightning quick turns to put on a paradigm-shifting performance at the 2018 NCAAs, where he posted a 17.63 in the 50 free, 39.90 in the 100 free and 42.80 in the 100 fly- all the fastest in history by a wide margin. 

His turn has also proved to play a pivotal role in the long course pool. At last summer’s Olympic Games, where Dressel clearly had the best turn in the field in the men’s 100 free final and gave him a sizable lead heading into the second 50. Dressel was able to hold off defending Olympic Champion Kyle Chalmers of Australia down the stretch to set a new Olympic Record in 47.02, just .11 off of Cesar Cielo’s super suited World Record.  

Dressel currently holds the World Record in the SCM 50 free from the 2020 ISL season, and won five gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics, including setting the World Record in the 100 fly and the Olympic Record in the 50 and 100 free. 

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Dan
2 years ago

I would guess the distance between the bulkheads should be 50m – 50 yds (about 14 ft or 4.3m) as that pool is normally turned into 2 x 25yds, at least for club meets.

Barbossa Andrew 🐍
2 years ago

Dang watching this made me dizzy

Ferb
2 years ago

The fourth guy up from the bottom held his own pretty well.

M L
2 years ago

What’s the state of the art on how to assist the flip with your arms these days? The most powerful method seems to be Phelps’s: palms facing the bottom of the pool at the start and finish of the flip motion. But lots of swimmers still start and finish the flip with the backs of their hands facing the bottom. That seems less powerful and more shoulder-intensive, but since it’s the reverse of the freestyle stroking motion, maybe it gives the stroking muscle groups an extra beat of rest?

Ol' Longhorn
2 years ago

He’s definitely cut down on his yardage since leaving Troy.

Mr Piano
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
2 years ago

Gonna swim fast af hopefully

Joel
2 years ago

So we are just making stuff up now “clearly had the best turn in the field”……..oookkkk.

M L
Reply to  Joel
2 years ago

Yeah I actually thought Dressel’s flipturns in Tokyo looked too long: too much glide without enough kick after the last pull. A better turn might’ve earned him the WR…

M L
Reply to  M L
2 years ago

See the turn from underwater here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx2DaIcoNLQ&t=260s

joanietheswimmer
Reply to  M L
2 years ago

“Looking” long is what happens with the blind turn when the shoulders are dipped and head is tucked.

M L
Reply to  joanietheswimmer
2 years ago

Do you mean that tucking the head etc. blinds you from the wall and thus increases the likelihood of starting the turn too far out? Or do you mean that he only “looked” too far out here and was actually the right distance?

HJones
Reply to  Joel
2 years ago

Yea, as far as the actual flip turn goes (excluding the underwaters), both Chalmers and KK were better in that 100 FR field.

Xman
2 years ago

Looking at this makes me dizzy

Drewbrewsbeer
Reply to  Xman
2 years ago

Brings back memories of a few hungover 5am practices…

coachymccoachface
Reply to  Drewbrewsbeer
2 years ago

Relevant username

Drewbrewsbeer
Reply to  coachymccoachface
2 years ago

I knew someone would catch it.

Swimfan
2 years ago

Let’s go Remel 🦍🦍🦍

Project 20.7 / 46.6 this July.

Let‘s smash that brazilian furosemided/supersuited Augusto Cielo Filho. 🤣

Mr Piano
Reply to  Swimfan
2 years ago

That’s way too fast dawg. I’ll be ecstatic if he’s 20.89/46.89

Joel
Reply to  Swimfan
2 years ago

Isn’t that what you all predicted for 2021?

USA
Reply to  Joel
2 years ago

They predicted that in 2018

Dressel and Milak are GODS
Reply to  USA
2 years ago

He got injured in 2018

Soyboy
Reply to  Swimfan
2 years ago

Idk if i see dressel winning the 100 this year with all the time he spent out of the water in the fall