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Springboard Diving Techniques For Pros

By: Mike Potts

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Springboard diving techniques for pros can help you take your dives to the next level. Springboard diving is a truly captivating sport, both for the athletes and for the audience. The movements you accomplish in the air and as you hit the water are a type of art form. When perfecting your art, some springboard diving techniques for pros can help.

  1. Jump off the springboard by leaping up, rather than out. Even pro springboard divers can make the mistake of jumping to far outward on their springboard dive. This will ultimately make your dive sloppy and difficult to control. One key to a successful, professional dive is jumping high enough that you have time to complete your twists and turns before reaching the water. When you jump outward, even a little, you’re losing some of that height and limiting your dive.
  2. Knife into the water. This is how you can accomplish absolutely no splashing. As a pro, you probably already have very little splashes, but there may still be room for improvement. When you practice springboard diving, work on your entrance into the water. Stiffen up your body as you approach and keep your hands straight out in front of your head. You might be tempted to look at the water, but this can create a small splash. Instead tuck your chin and point your toes as you enter the water.
  3. Hold your movements for half a second longer than you’re used to. When practicing a springboard dive, try to lengthen the timeframe of each movement. This will accomplish a few things. It will show you the importance of height when you first jump off the springboard, and it will force you to concentrate on every little movement. Even slowing down movements by half a second can seem like an eternity during a dive. On the first try, you might miss your landing and splash. However, with practice, you be able to jump higher and hold your movements longer, while still making a fine entrance into the water.
  4. Try a feet first dive. Use the same principles of the previous springboard diving techniques for pros to help you pull off this type of dive. You will need to get lots of height. Then, concentrate on your movements to get them just right. As you enter the water, it’s doubly important to keep your toes points and your body nice and stiff. It’s harder not to splash on feet first landings into the water. Practice the dives over and over again, concentrating on that entrance. Eventually, you will complete the feet first dive with minimal splashing.
Posted on: Mar. 17, 2011