Springboard vs. Platform diving

Question
What are the major differences between the skills needed for springboard and platform diving? Which one is more difficult, and how difficult would it be to switch from one to the other?

Answer
Kristin -

The best way I can answer these questions for you is to explain how a diver makes the transition from springboard to platform:

Diving consists for fundamental progressions that begin on the one meter springboard. After the diver has become accomplished at this height, they then move their dives to the three meter springboard. Once the diver has accumulated a list of competitive dives for their age group, the coach and diver make a decision as to their readiness and desire to dive platform. This is also assuming that they have platform at their pool or one that is close by and available.

If the diver and coach decide that they are going to pursue platform diving, it is begun at the 5 meter height. The same progressions that they learned on one meter are followed on five meter, Once the diver is accomplished at that height they then move their dives to 7.5 meter. The final progression is to dive 10 meter. Along the way, the diver uses the 1 meter and 3 meter platforms (non competitive heights) to prepare to do the harder dives from any of the competitive heights.

The biggest difference between springboard and platform is since the platform does not bend, the diver has to change their front and back approach. They also have to learn to do armstand dives that do not exist on springboard.

On which is more difficult, some divers feel platform is easier because it does not bend and since it is higher, you have more time to do your dive. Some divers learn platform faster than springboard. The main difficulty is having the guts to dive 10 meter as incorrect landings are extremely painful.Platform diving is difficult if you do not practice it on a regular basis (2 to 3 times per week with days off inbetween workouts. An interesting thing about diving is that the degrees of difficulty on the 1 meter and 5 meter are the same! This is also true for 3 meter and 7.5 meter - the same. What is even stranger is that the degree of difficulties on 10 meter are sometimes lower than 5 meter or 7.5 meter because the diver has more time to do the dive!

As far as a switch from one to the other it is really more a transition. Young divers who want to be accomplished enough to dive in college practice all three events.The only time you see a diver make a permanent switch from springboard to platform is by highly accomplished elite level divers who decide to specialize in 10 meter platform competitions. This was done this past Olympic year by some divers so they could make an Olympic team.