How To Dive For Swimming | A Step By Step Guide

Summary

In this instructional video, the host at Sands Beach in Lanzarote teaches viewers the intricacies of the dive start, a challenging skill for swimmers. They discuss preventing goggle slippage, building confidence through low-height practice, and transitioning to higher dives. The video covers various dive start positions, emphasizing the traditional and track start methods, and offers tips to avoid common mistakes like belly flops and diving too deep. It also addresses the unique considerations for triathlon dive starts, providing valuable insights for both beginners and experienced swimmers.

Takeaways

• 🤿 To prevent goggles from slipping off during a dive, ensure they are snug but not too tight, and consider wearing a swim cap over the goggle straps.
• 🏊‍♂️ Start practicing the dive start from a low height to build confidence, gradually increasing the height as you become more comfortable.
• 🧍‍♂️ Position your feet side-by-side, under your hips, and almost shoulder-width apart for stability at the edge of the pool.
• 🦵 Maintain a slight bend in your knees (around 120 degrees) and use a rocking motion to initiate the dive.
• 🤸‍♂️ Imagine a hoop on the water's surface and aim to pass your body through it without touching the edges for a streamlined entry.
• 👐 There are different dive start positions, including side-by-side feet and the track start position, with the latter being preferred for triathlons.
• 🏋️‍♀️ For beginners, it's recommended to practice the dive start from the edge of the pool before moving to blocks.
• 💦 Avoid belly flops by diving with an arch and entering the water first with your hands, followed by the rest of your body.
• 🌊 Stay streamlined underwater, using either a butterfly or front crawl kick, and adjust your hand angle to avoid diving too deep.
• 🏖️ For triathlons, the track start is advantageous as it allows for a quicker start and reduces the time spent underwater to avoid mass start collisions.
• 🔁 Practice is key for mastering the dive start, so repeat the process to build confidence and refine your technique.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video?

The main topic discussed in the video is the dive start technique for swimming, including both the traditional dive start and the track start, with emphasis on execution and troubleshooting common issues.

Why is it important to prevent goggle slippage during a dive start?

Goggle slippage can obstruct vision and disrupt the dive, so it's important to ensure they are secure but not too tight. The video suggests wearing a swim cap over the goggle straps to prevent water from rushing over them and causing them to slip down.

What is the recommended starting point for beginners learning the dive start?

Beginners should start from the edge of the pool, gradually building up confidence and height, eventually progressing to diving off blocks.

How should one position their feet during the initial stages of learning the dive start?

For beginners, it is recommended to have feet side-by-side, toes gripped over the edge, with feet positioned underneath the hips, almost shoulder-width apart, to ensure stability.

What mental imagery is suggested to help with the body positioning during the dive start?

The video suggests imagining a hoop on the water's surface and aiming to get the whole body through it without touching the edges, to maintain a streamlined position.

What is the track start position and how does it differ from the traditional dive start?

The track start position involves placing one foot further forward (the stronger leg) and the other foot slightly back, as opposed to the traditional dive start where both feet are side-by-side and gripped over the edge.

Why might the track start be preferred for triathlons?

The track start is preferred for triathlons because it translates well to the triathlon dive start scenario, allowing for a quicker start compared to the traditional dive start, which requires moving both feet forward.

What is a common mistake to avoid during the entry phase of the dive start?

A common mistake is the belly flop, which occurs when divers enter the water too flat. To avoid this, divers should aim for a more arched dive, entering the water first with their hands and following with the rest of the body.

How can one avoid diving too deep during the dive start?

To avoid diving too deep, divers should ensure they are not lifting their arms enough when coming off the block, and they can tilt their hands up slightly as they enter the water to lift back up to the surface.

What is the importance of the underwater phase following the dive start?

The underwater phase is crucial as it allows for streamlined movement and the beginning of the swim with either butterfly or front crawl kicks. The goal is to stay streamlined and begin the first stroke as the diver surfaces.

What advice is given for triathletes regarding the underwater phase of the dive start?

For triathletes, it is advised not to stay underwater for an extended period during a mass dive start to avoid being trampled by other swimmers.