The Backward Dive

The back dive is usually done in one of two positions-the lay-out or pike-with the tuck position seldom used. Begin the back dive by standing backward on the end of the board, using the back press. The person is to enter the water head first, about 3 feet from the end of the back of the board and just short of vertical.

The Front Dive

            The front dive is done from the front hurdle. The objective of the front dive is to enter the water head first, about 4 feet in front of the board. The front dive can be done in any of three positions, with the layout being the most common.

The Reverse Dive

            The reverse dive, sometimes known as the half gainer, is one of the most spectacular of all dives. It is fun to do and it is fun to watch. If it is taught and learned properly, it poses no more threat of injury than a front dive. It is simply a good front jump followed by a back dive in the air.

The Inward Dive

            The inward dive, sometimes known as the cutaway or backjack, is a bit scary at to most new divers because of the direction of the spin. You must stand backward on the end of the board, jump backward, and spin toward the board. Once you learn to do it you will like it because the inward dive is one of the easiest dives to control.

The Forward Dive with a One-Half Twist

            Most divers use the forward dive with a one-half twist in the layout position. Thus we will focus only on that twist in this dive in two parts. The 1^st is a one-quarter twist to the highest point of your dive, 2^nd is a one-quarter twist leading into the back dive water entry.

The Tuck Position

            The tuck position looks like a dive in a ball position. You bend your body both at the hips and at the knees and you scrunch up as small as possible. You use the tuck fore dives that require multiple rotations (1½ or 2½ somersaults).

The Pike Position

            The pike position is one of the most attractive positions in diving. It requires a good deal of flexibility and it is useful for some of the spinning dives. As you begin using the pike position, keep your head up enough so that you can see over your toes.

The Diving Springboards and Platforms

            Figure 1 is the 10 meter platform with a height 33 feet, a length of 19 feet 6 inches, and a width of 6 feet 6 inches. Figure 2 is the 7-1/2 meter platform with a height of 24 feet, 5 inches, a length of 19 feet, 6 inches, and a width of 4 feet, 11 inches. Figure 3 is the inter-med platform with a height of 16 feet, 3 inches, a length of 19 feet, 6 inches, and a width of 4 feet, 11 inches. Figure 4 is the 3-meter springboard with a height of 9 feet, 9 inches, a length of 16 feet, 3 inches, and a width of 1 foot 8 inches. And finally figure 5 is the 1 meter springboard with a height of 3 feet, 3 inches, a length of 16 feet, 3 inches, and a width of 1 foot 8 inches. Those are the different types of springboards and platforms.