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Ability and confidence to dive forward into deep water from a dry standing position.
AD8
The swimmer must have the ability and confidence to dive forward into deep water from a dry standing position. Holding the streamline position throughout, with correct head position and a correct transition into a given stroke.
This award can be issued for freestyle, butterfly and breaststroke and use either a track start or grab start.
It is essential a swimmer knows the do’s and don’ts regarding safety before they dive.
Work with the swimmers to stay streamline throughout, even through to their toes.
Practice squeezing those ears and maintaining this, this is a position all can do on poolside before moving to the waters edge. Work on using their feet to propel themselves forward off the poolside, this can be in the form of big upright standing jumps to encourage a push off from their legs and then using their arms to swing forward to aid a more powerful forward force.
It is also a good idea to practice without googles on as well if your swimmers wear them.
Other areas that may need more work are the head positioning throughout the dive. What to do when you have entered the water and how to transition into swimming from the dive.