new diver

Question
Hi Tom!
I have very recently begun diving lessons at the local club pool at the age of 16. As a former dancer with a slight gymnastics background, I am really enjoying diving.. I can't get enough. I'm very motivated to reach my highest potential and am willing to do whatever it takes to get there. I realize I do not have as much time to develop my skills as someone who invested in the sport when they were younger so I'm looking to make the most of the time I have left.

I take two 1hr classes a week and have been to the pool a total of 3 times. My short term goal is to dive for the club (I think you have to be asked, I'm not quite positive#. I'm looking for any advice you can give at all on how to reach that goal such as workout routines, dives I should be doing, and ways to get the coaches' attention.

After 3 practices I can do a decent 101B and 101C as well as a pretty good 103C and an ok 201C #all on 1M#.

Thank you so much!

Answer
Christina -

I think you should ask your coach what it takes to make a team. Find out what team levels there are such as Novice, Intermediate, High School and Junior Olympic.Tell him/her you want to be on a team and how long do they think it will take.

I think you should increase the number of days/hours per week you are practicing. Two hours a week I feel is not enough for a 16 year old.

Girls your age need to know all five groups, front, back, reverse, inward and twist. You also need to know how to do optionals (harder dives) as well as voluntaries (easier dives). Ask if you can start to learn fundamental skills on the 3 meter.

To get the coaches attention, always listen to what he/she has to say and make eye contact. Ask questions about how you can improve. Be easy to work with and always follow the workout plan.

Go these websites for more info:

www.usadiving.org. Click on Divers and then Juniors. Click on Training Tips and also watch the video.Also at this site, Click on Resources and then Rule Book. Read subpart 'C' about Junior Diving.Also try clicking on Store and then Educational Materials. There are DVD's and videos/books you may want to buy.

www.divemeets.com. Click on Past Meets. Then scroll down to meets held this past summer called Region Meets. Choose the meet that was held in a city close to where you live. Click on Results and then 16-18 girls one meter.Click on any girls score and a list of dives will come up that they did in the meet. This will give you an idea as to what types of dives girls your age are doing in the area you live.

www.diving.about.com - Site that has lots of info on all aspects of diving. Look for different articles with training tips.

www.flipnrip.com - Site for divers that has lots of videos you can watch.

Good luck. Hope all this helps.