The following description is a timing skill that when understood and mastered, affords the diver maximum air time to complete even the most difficult dives. It is described for a front jump.

Figure A is the position the diver assumes after the knee down action of the Hurdle Step. For the average diver, the feet are no more than hip width apart and the arms are held slightly in front of the body somewhere between shoulder and head high. The arms in this instance are used for balance on the descent from the hurdle and are in a position to apply maximum force to load the board with energy upon the landing shown in Figure B. It is important to understand that how high and how long the arms are held up in Figure B is determined by fulcrum placement, the strength of the individual diver and the dive to be performed. The stronger the diver and the further back the fulcrum is placed, the longer and higher the arms are held prior to the landing from the hurdle in Figure B.

In Figure B, when the feet touch the end of the board, the arms begin to swing back and down in order to help apply more force to bend the board. Figure C shows the arms almost straight down on the press. At this point, the diving board is almost depressed as far as it will go. Figure D shows the continuation of the arm-swing upward to Figure E where the diver must get into a good position to receive all the energy that was stored while he/she was loading the board with this energy.

Figure E shows the completion of the arm-swing to the reach and full body extension just prior to take-off. This position determines the height and direction of the parabolic dive arc. The above arm-swing timing again is in reference to performing a front jump (feet first entry into the water). If the arms are on the way up to the reach as the board unloads its stored energy, the diver will have no rotation in the air and thus only a front jump can be performed.

-- When landing in Figure B, the body is in alignment with the diver's weight centered over the balls of the feet.

-- Hold the arms up and slightly in front of the body until the feet touch the end of the board.

-- Once the feet touch the end of the board, the arms begin to swing backward and down. Gravity alone working on body weight will bend the board. The arm-swing applies additional force to load the board with energy. The average size individual's arms weigh an estimated 20 pounds apiece. This converts to an additional 40 pounds of force while depressing the board. LEARN TO USE YOUR ARMS!

-- The arm-swing should be oval not straight up and down like a bird flapping it's wings. This up and down motion means that there will be a pause or momentary stoppage of the arms-swing. Because the arms also aid in the initiation of a dive, any momentary pause in the arm-swing will throw off the timing of harder dives.

-- Remember that diving is a sequential activity. You must finish one sequence before you can start another.

-- Set up a good hurdle so that you have the opportunity to concentrate on the above information.

-- Practice the above so that it becomes consistent enough that your attention can move to other parts of your dives.

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