Figure 1 shows both the somersaulting and twisting axis, designated as the horizontal axis and the vertical axis. Figure 2 demonstrates the action/reaction effect of bringing the arms across for the twist. The body will tip from the V axis to the V 1 axis as shown in Figure C. This appears to be a natural affect during any twisting dive. A twist can happen anywhere in the somersault rotation even though many twisting somersaults have a specific time for the twist to occur.

Figure A is a side view of the initial somersault. Figure B is a frontal view of Figure A. It is important to remember to always initiate the somersault rotation first (Figure A). Many twisting dives are left short on the somersault rotation and not on twist. That indicates that divers are more concerned about making the twist that they forget to initiate enough somersault. Initiate a level (square) somersault as shown in figure A & B. Most twisters combine the pike and straight positions (termed the free position). In order for twist to occur, the diver must straighten out from the pike position. As the diver is straightening out, the twist can begin by bringing the arms in and directly across the vertical axis of the body (Figure C). These two actions occur simultaneously. During this motion, there is a transfer of angular momentum from the horizontal axis to the vertical axis. This can be observed because the somersault appears to slow down and the twist seems to go faster. The twist will be faster than the somersault because its radius of rotation is smaller. The chin during the front twisters should be in a neutral to slightly down position. While twisting, never allow the arm that crosses the body to slip below the lower edge of the sternum. This seems to create a wobble during the front twisters.

It does appear that all twisters finish the same way they are started. If a shoulder roll happens at the beginning of the somersault, the twist will occur further from the V axis than V 1 in Figure 2. Furthermore, it appears at the finish that the dive never gets back to the original V axis on the finishing square. The reason for the original tip to the V 1 axis is the arm movement into the twist. This is an action-reaction affect. When the arms are brought out for the finishing square, the body will move back to the original V axis. Whatever tip the arms create to initiate the twist will be eliminated when the arms are brought back out on the finishing square. Nothing corrects the additional tip caused by dipping a shoulder at the same time the somersault is being initiated. This dive will always go into the water with a cast sideways (Fig C).

The arm that moves behind the head should also move that shoulder in the same direction. In actuality, the arms are used to initiate twist and then not interfere with the speed of the twist by keeping them close to the body. Movement of the shoulders in the direction of the intended twist causes the twist to happen. The arms provide a longer lever to help overcome the original inertia to twist. Twisting will happen when the shoulder of the arm that moves behind the head begins applying force backward. IF THIS SHOULDER DOES NOT MOVE, TWIST WILL NOT HAPPEN REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE OTHER ARM AND SHOULDER DOES!

-- Initiate a level somersault first. (Figure B)

-- Move the shoulders in the direction of the twist.

-- Keep arms in as close to the body as possible for a quick twist.

-- Keep good body alignment during the twist. Distortion will have an effect on the twist.

-- Keep the chin in line during the twist. (Neutral to slightly down for fronts and neutral to slightly up

for backs and reverses.)

-- To finish the twist, bring the arms out to the sides at shoulder level and bend at the waist.

-- Twist rotation is always faster than somersault rotation because its radius is much smaller than a

Somersault's, where the body is held straight while twisting.

Many of the same techniques are used for these twisters. The differences being that the somersault is done straight, the chin alignment is neutral to slightly up and the arms are held higher in the twist position. The somersault must still be initiated first with both hands finishing the reach. Once the somersault has been initiated, the arms are brought across the midline of the body moving the shoulders in the direction of the twist.

Special Note:

Many twisting dives appear to over-twist a little upon entry into the water. This goes back to the way the dive is started. Upon examination, it can be seen that many of these twisters actually take off from the board with that little twist. In reality the dive has not over-twisted. It finished with the same amount of twist that it was started. Either way, judges would make deductions for this over-twist.

Of the dives that actually over-twist at entry, there is normally a lack of somersault rotation at the onset. Twisting too early which can include the shoulder roll mentioned earlier usually causes this lack of somersault.

It seems that if there is a mistake to be made when twisting, twisting later seems to be the easier to correct. It is much easier to get the diver to twist earlier than to get a diver to delay the twist. When first learning to twist, this writer teaches a late twist. That means that the diver almost completes the somersault before attempting to twist. Since there is no spotting equipment, the diver learns to control the somersault. This control gives the diver confidence to attempt the twist. By learning this way, the diver knows that he/she will land on their feet all the time. From here it is a matter of trial and error before the diver completes the intended twist.

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