Diving.

How to Dive off a Starting Block

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In competitive swimming, a good dive off the starting block is essential to winning races and improving your times. If you watch any swimming star, such as Michael Phelps, you will notice that they all have a great dive that gets them far out into the pool in very little time. That of course is the goal of your dive. With some practice, you will have a better dive in no time.

Steps

1. Learn how to dive without a starting block. If you can't dive from flat ground into a pool, you definitely should not be diving off a starting block yet.
   
2. Step onto the starting block, only once you have learned the basics of diving. Start by placing one of your feet on front so the toes of that foot are over the edge. Place your other foot about shoulder-width behind you. It doesn't matter which foot is in front, you can experiment with both to see which you can dive better with. You should be facing toward the pool, remembering to breathe until the starter or your coach says, "take your mark."
   
3. Crouch down with your feet where they were and grab the front of the starting block with one hand at a time, once you hear, "take your mark." Bend down far enough so your chest is touching the top of your thighs. When you become better, you should be leaning enough forward so you feel like you could fall in at any time. Remember to remain still though until you hear the signal to go.
   
4. Jump off the block by pushing forward off it with your arms and legs simultaneously once you are given the signal to go. In the air, your arms should quickly move into the streamline position above your head. As you hit the water, make sure your head is tucked in and that you straighten your body out after you enter the water to avoid going to deep. Begin kicking immediately if you are doing freestyle, otherwise streamline until you slow down.
   

Tips

• Ask your coach to help you with your dive. They can tell you what you are doing wrong. If you are not on a swim team, ask someone at the pool if they know someone that can help you.
  
• Make sure your goggles are on securely. It is very easy for them to fall off or fill with water when you hit the surface.
  
• Practice, but not too much. It is more important to improve your stroke and turns. You only dive in once after all.
  
• Perfect this: it is the fastest part of your race.
  
• A swim cap can help your goggles stay on.
  

Warnings

• Never dive in water that is less than 12 feet deep.
  
• Never dive without proper knowledge and instruction. Also, never dive alone.
  
• Never dive from a starting block with fins on because the wearing of fins makes the diver unable to grip the edge of the pool or starting block with their toes. This creates the potential for the diver to slip, which can result in injury.
  

Things You'll Need

• A swimming pool with starting blocks
  
• Goggles
  
• A coach or companion to watch you
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Do a Dive
  
• How to Back Dive
  
• How to Do a Great Swimming Pullout
  
• How to Swim the Breaststroke
  
• How to Perform a Breaststroke Turn
  

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