Extra Topic
Diving, along with flip turns, also becomes one of the most important parts your race. The strokes all each subtly change once you dive into the water, but three of the four strokes perform the same dive off of the block. Though one differs from the others, and posses more difficulty. When racing a long race like the 500, your dives importance declines, but when you swim a short race like the 50 your dives importance sky rockets.
Freestyle, butterfly, and breaststroke all perform the same dive. Most people probably think swimmers dive off of a diving board, which all swimmers will deem incorrect. The people who call them diving boards, have the right idea, but the “diving boards,” real name: the block. A block does not contain springs, but merely a block with a step up to the top and two handles underneath. The handles come into play for backstroke, but the other three strokes will stay on top of the block. When the starter blows the whistle to start the race, you will step up onto the block. Now you need to make a decision. How will you place your feet? You can choose a track start or a straight start. In a track start, place on foot in front of the other. In a straight start, both of your feet will stay positioned next to each other. Choose the one that feels most comfortable to you. According to ehow.com you should, “Practice diving with and without a diving block to find a dive you prefer,” and to, “Never try to dive in shallow water because you will hurt your head and neck and possibly suffer further injuries.” Next, the official will say take your mark. At this point, bend down so that your hands attach to the bottom of the block. Make sure you hold on tight, and bring your head down to look in between your legs. You should see everything behind you. Hold your body over the water, but not too far because you do not want to fall in. When the buzzer sounds, your legs should explode, and your arms should push off of the block. Since your arms push backwards, you need to pull them up over your head while you float through the air. When you enter the water, you need to begin kicking. For butterfly, you will start the dolphin kick. For freestyle, you will do a flutter kick. For breaststroke, you will do an underwater pull out, which consists of one pull and one kick underwater before starting the full stroke. After the dive, start your stroke and win the race.
Backstroke, consists of more than a dive off of the block. Since you need to start on your back, you will need to dive onto your back. So, you need to use the handles located underneath the block. When the starter blows the whistle, enter the water. Next, grab a hold of the handles and get ready to place your feet. When the starter says place your feet, take both feet and place them just below the water line. Next, the starter will say take your mark. Now, pull your body up towards the block. You need to pull yourself far up towards the top of the block. When the buzzer sounds, throw your arms backwards and arch your back. You want to throw yourself up and out of the water and land hands first back into the water to start your backstroke kick. Also, make sure that nothing drags in the water, because it will slow you down.
The backstroke start posses the most difficult, but with practice, it can turn into the easiest. Just stay focused with each start, and each will come naturally. Do not become frustrated with your first try, because naturally everything takes practice.
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| Freestyle, Breaststroke, and Butterfly dives- Wikipedia |
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| Backstroke dives- Wikipedia |
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