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Reverse Rotation

Prior to attempting reverse the approach, hurdle and forward take-off must be mastered to some degree to allow the diver proper height and distance to safely execute this series.

The purpose for the landing should be to align the body at the end of the diving board in balance and on the balls of the feet. The diver should not be leaning forward or backward at this point. When the arms complete the circle to the reach they should be kept shoulder width apart or narrower (Figure A). As the arms complete this cycle of forward and up, the feet are pushing into the board in an equal and opposite direction. This motion not only creates rotation but distance from the end of the board. The arms will stop at the top of the reach because of the shoulder limitation. At this point there is a transfer of angular momentum from the arm swing to the rest of the body. As the board unloads its energy, the diver brings the legs up to the hands as described in the Back Rotation (Figure B). Once in the tuck or pike position the diver should immediately squeeze to make the position as compact as possible (Figure C).

The mechanics of the reverse somersault are similar to that of the backward rotation but the reverse should be higher simply because of the forward takeoff. During backward rotation the diver can afford to lean back somewhat but that would be dangerous for reverses. If the diver were to lean back on reverse rotation, another action must be added to insure safe distance. This action would be hipping away from the board. Neither leaning back nor hipping out would be good technique for the reverse series. Some coaches push their divers to do the harder dives before they are fundamentally ready. They do this to take advantage of the degree of difficulty and questionable judging. It is always best at the lower levels to stress a sound foundation for the reverses rather than going for the harder dives.

Points to Stress

Special Note:

At the beginning levels of diving it is suggested that the chin be kept in a neutral position as the diver reaches. Most age group divers have a tendency to belly out when they try to look up at their hands. The sag that occurs at this time leaves these divers susceptible to lower back injury upon take-off. Until body alignment and awareness develop, holding the chin in this neutral position produces the results coaches want to see.

Just as with the other dives, as the diver advances to the multiple rotations, he/she must be taught to control the easier dives and their rotations. Again no rotating dive is executed in the same way. They are all done just a little differently. As explained in an earlier section, divers usually lose control of the lesser rotating dives. This happens because the diver tries to do the easier dives the same way and the more difficult ones. It is a matter of understanding and then practicing what makes that difference.

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