Perform a Back Dive With a Half Twist
This is probably the first twisting dive a diver should learn...and performing it is great fun!
Contents
Steps
- Walk to the end of the board, watch the water behind you (this is optional), and turn your back to the water.
- Stand on the balls of your feet.
- The first times you try this dive, start with your arms straight above your head and close to your ears.
- Drop your arms to your sides while bending your knees.
- At the same time, swing your arms back up to your ears and push off the board. You don't want to jump straight up if you are on a recreational diving board, because then you will hit the board on your way down. If you are on a real diving board, then it works best if you jump straight up. However, you also don't want to jump straight back. Try jumping as high as you can in the air and about two to three feet back, depending on how tall you are.
- Once in the air, you have three options for your body position - tuck, where your knees are tucked tightly to your chest, pike, where your body is bent at the hips and forms an "L," and layout, where your body is completely straight. Layout is the easiest to twist, but it takes the most effort to complete the flip.
- Unless you are very comfortable with this dive, do not attempt to tuck or pike. For a layout, once you are in the air, tuck your chin to your chest and focus on pulling in your stomach muscles and straightening your back, helping your feet go over your head.
- When you are completely vertical, (but upside-down over the water,) you're ready to twist. If you are a lefty, snap your right arm down towards your left hip, keeping your left arm straight. As your arm turns, turn your hips. The turn will be completed. If you are a righty, snap your left arm down towards your right hip, keeping your right arm straight. As for lefties, your hips should turn with you arms and your turn will be completed.
- You should now be facing forward. Make sure both arms are by your ears. You can untuck your chin now. Enter the water with your arms down, your toes pointed, and a big smile!
- Finished.
Tips
- Your stomach and back muscles play a bigger role in this dive than you think. Keeping them tight is essential to good form.
- Do not attempt a tucked or piked position in this dive unless you are very comfortable with the layout position.
Warnings
- Always make sure you dive a safe distance away from the board
- Springboard diving is a dangerous sport, so have a knowledgeable person help you.
- Always check the water depth before diving!
