Learn to Dive: Start by Perfecting Your Jumps Into the Swimming Pool

It is very impressive watching the springboard and highboard divers at the Olympics throwing themselves off the diving boards, turning 2 or 3 somersaults with several twists and then entering the water in a perfect vertical shape with little or no splash. But everyone has to start somewhere - even Olympic divers - and the initial steps are to perfect your jumps into the swimming pool or diving pool. Perfecting your jumps will help you learn the correct jumping technique and the different body positions used in diving. It will also help you gain the control over your body necessary when you progress to diving. The jumps can be performed off the poolside or off a low diving board of 1m. Indeed, the learner diver may start by learning the jumps off the poolside and then move on to performing them off the diving board. In each case, the diver should enter the water with his hands straight down by his sides, as this is a requirement in diving competitions.

1) Forward Jumps

The first step in learning to dive is to perfect your forward jumps. In each case, stand with your feet together and your toes on the edge of the poolside, but not over the edge. Remember to always point your toes in any jump. The different forward jumps that should be learnt are as follows:

(a) Straight jump forwards

Start with your hands down by your sides. As you jump, bring your arms up in front of you until they are above your head. Keep your arms straight as you do it. Bring your arms back down to your sides by taking them through the side position and not back down in front of you. Try not to lean in any direction as you do the jump, so that you enter the water in a vertical position.

(b) Tuck jump forwards

Start with your hands down by your sides. As you jump, bring your arms up in front of you until they are above your head. Keep your arms straight as you do it. Then, bring your legs up in front of you so your knees are pressing against your stomach and touch your shins with your hands. Once you have performed the tuck shape, kick your legs down and enter the water in a straight position with your hands by your sides.

(c) Pike jump forwards

This is quite a hard jump, with those with gymnastics or ballet training having an advantage. It is easier off a 1m diving board, although may be attempted off the poolside. Start with your hands down by your sides. As you jump, bring your arms up in front of you until they are above your head. Keep your arms straight as you do it. Then, whilst keeping your legs straight, bring your legs up in front of you so that they are as close to 90 degrees to your body as you can manage. Touch your shins with your hands. Once you have performed the pike shape, move your legs down and enter the water in straight position with your hands by your sides.

2) Backwards Jumps

Once you've perfected your forwards jumps, you can move onto backwards jumps. The backward jumps are the same as the forwards jumps but this time stand on your toes on the edge of the springboard or poolside with your heels raised up above your toes over the water. When you jump, make sure you jump backwards a little bit, so that you do not hit the board or the poolside. Again, always point your toes and make sure your arms are by your sides when you enter the water.

Once you have perfected your forwards and backwards jumps, you can move onto learning to dive.

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By David Valle