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Instructing someone on how to dive can be a bit tricky, as it's essential that your student learns the correct posture to avoid any potential injuries. Start by demonstrating the proper diving stance on land and guide them through a kneeling dive to help them get used to the feeling of diving headfirst. Once they've gained some comfort, you can introduce them to the standing dive to refine their form. Stay close to them throughout the process to offer guidance and support when needed.
Steps to Follow
Positioning the Diver's Stance
Show the student the correct diving posture while on solid ground. Begin by raising both arms straight above your head, ensuring that your biceps rest close to your ears. Gently tuck your chin toward your chest, but avoid overdoing it to prevent discomfort or potential belly flops. Your hands should rest on top of one another, but not clasped. Keep one knee on the ground, foot flexed, while the other knee is bent with the foot flat on the ground, drawing it toward your chest.
- This stance is crucial for the kneeling dive technique. The arm positioning will also play a vital role when transitioning to the standing dive.
Encourage the learner to practice the stance multiple times. After demonstrating the proper stance, allow the learner to try it out on their own. Ensure they keep their biceps close to their ears, maintaining the kneeling position with their arms extended above their head. Instruct them to lean forward with their front leg and push off their back leg, leading with their fingers. Have them repeat the motion several times to become familiar with the forward movement, just as they would during a dive.
- Confirm that the learner feels comfortable with the stance on land before progressing to dive lessons by the water and in the pool.
Reassure a nervous student. Fear can cause students to dive incorrectly and potentially hurt themselves. It's important that your students dive confidently. Calmly explain that diving is an enjoyable and safe activity. Offer plenty of positive reinforcement through smiles and encouraging words.
- Assure your student that you will be there to support them throughout the process, guiding them every step of the way when they dive into the water.
- If teaching a child, explain that water is soft, not hard, and that they will be safe when landing in it.
- Verify that the learner is able to swim underwater independently. If they can't swim or have never been underwater, you'll need to teach these basic skills before diving lessons begin.
Teaching the Kneeling Dive Technique
Choose a pool that is at least 8 feet (2.4 m) deep for adults. For safe diving lessons, it's crucial to use a pool deep enough for the person to dive without risking injury. Adults should practice in a pool that is significantly deeper than their height, with the deep end being the most suitable area to ensure they dive safely without the danger of head injuries.
Select a pool that is 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) deep when teaching children. When teaching a child, opt for a pool that isn't too deep, as you'll need to provide support while they practice diving. Ensure the pool is deep enough to dive safely but shallow enough for you to stand and assist them effectively.
Have the learner assume the diving stance on the edge of the pool. Direct the learner to kneel with their front foot just behind the pool's edge, while their back leg should be bent with the knee on the ground and the foot flexed. Ensure their arms are raised above their head, with the biceps pressed against their ears, and their chin slightly tucked in.
- To assist the learner in keeping their chin tucked, suggest they look down at their belly button while in position.
- Since you've already practiced the diving stance on land, the learner should be familiar and comfortable with this posture.
Position yourself in front of the learner to offer support. Stand in front of the learner, placing one hand on their fingertips and the other on their hip. Use the outside of your arm and hand to stabilize their hips and arms.
- If teaching an adult, you may need to tread water while positioning yourself in front, as the pool's depth may prevent you from standing on your own.
Guide them to lean forward until their fingertips touch the water. Once you are positioned for support, instruct the learner to push off their back foot and lean forward, extending their fingers toward the water. Ensure that you support them as they lean so they feel secure and balanced, but don't force the movement.
- If the learner is apprehensive about leaning forward headfirst into the water, you may need to repeat this step a few times to help them build confidence in knowing they are fully supported.
- Encourage them to repeatedly fall into the water until they are comfortable with diving headfirst, as this is a common beginner mistake.
Assist them in sliding smoothly into the water using your arm for support. Keep your arm flat against the learner’s stomach as they glide into the water, pushing off their back foot. Ensure their fingers and head touch the water first, followed by their legs.
- Maintain a firm grip on their fingertips as they slide, guiding them through the water during the dive.
Repeat the kneeling dive 2-3 times for practice. Have the learner complete several kneeling dives, with your assistance, to help them gain comfort and consistency. It may take some time for them to feel confident diving headfirst, but with repeated practice, they should smoothly and cleanly enter the water.
- You can also encourage the learner to attempt kneeling dives without your support. Stand nearby in the water to offer assistance if needed.
Instructing a Standing Dive
Practice in the deep end of the pool. After the learner is comfortable with the kneeling dive, it's time to move on to the standing version. Always practice standing dives in a pool with a depth of at least 8 feet (2.4 m) to prevent the risk of injury from hitting the water too forcefully.
Guide the learner to position themselves at the pool's edge with feet together. Ensure that their toes are curled over the edge so they are positioned close to the water.
- If the learner feels anxious about attempting a standing dive, show them the proper stance first, then let them try it on their own.
Ensure they assume the correct diving stance with their arms. Check that their biceps are close to their ears, and their hands are stacked on top of one another, forming a straight line. Instruct them to look down at their belly button to keep their chin tucked in properly.
Instruct them to bend at the waist and push off with their feet. Remind them to stay relaxed as they bend and push off to avoid slapping the water too hard. Ensure their fingertips touch the water first, followed by their head and then their legs as they dive in.
Stay close to the learner in the water for support. You may need to offer encouraging words and reminders such as, "Keep your body relaxed" and "Remember to tuck your chin" to help them maintain proper form throughout their dive.
Practice the standing dive multiple times. After each dive, provide feedback to help the learner refine their technique and posture. Ask, "How did that feel?" to gauge their comfort and confidence with the standing dive.
- Once the learner is comfortable with several standing dives, you can move on to teaching them how to dive from a block or board elevated several feet above the water.
- Ensure that the diving block or board is positioned over an area of the pool that is sufficiently deep to prevent any risk of injury.
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Ensure the learner is equipped with proper swim gear, such as goggles and a swimsuit, for safety and comfort in the water.
