springboard diving techniques for beginners
Springboard Diving Techniques for Beginners
Springboard diving is an art of diving off a board acrobatically. The diving board is specially designed to give a spring effect to the diver.
- Take-off: Divers can jump facing forwards or backwards. A forward dive can be performed with a short run on the board, while a backward dive is performed by springing from a standing position. The balance, position, and synchronization of body parts determine a good take-off.
- Flight: The flight stage consists of many types depending on the style of the dive adopted by diver in the air. Different positions during a flight (after take-off and before entering water) are: straight, pike, tuck, and free position.
- Entry in the Pool:The most important aspect of a good entry is the splashing of minimum water during the dive. A well performed dive will 'knife' the water and not splash it all around. The prerequisite of a perfect entry is a properly aligned body with the arms outstretched above the head and the feet straight in line with the body.
- Forward: The diver faces the front and spins in the direction of the water.
- Backward: Here, the diver spins away from the board with his back towards the water.
- Reverse: In a reverse dive, the diver faces the front of the board and spins inwards in the direction of the board.
- Inward: This type is the opposite of a backward dive. The back of the diver faces towards the water and the diver spins towards the board.
- Twisting: It is the dive with many different styles. Any number of twists and turns can be incorporated into it while diving.
- Arm Stand: A very special type of dive that involves hand standing balancing the body on one's hands) on the edge of the board and diving.
- Stand in an erect and balanced position; a few steps back from the edge of the diving board.
- Step forward at a normal walking pace. Concentrate on the end of the board and at the same time, keep the head facing up and the body relaxed.
- Swing the arms to get into a forward momentum. Lift one leg up and jump straight up balancing on the other leg.
- Keep the legs straight and together in the air. Raise the arms together on top of the head.
- Jump and land on the edge of the board. Bounce out of the board by jumping forward keeping the eyes fixed on the opposite end of the pool.
- The spring action of the board will propel the diver high into the air. Bend slightly at the waist, keeping both hands parallel together and stretched above the head brushing the ears.
- Pointing the arms towards the water, make an entry in the pool 'piercing' the water; arms first followed by rest of the body. The body should be in a perfect streamline position.