The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-07-21
FANCY DIVING.


it is possible for any healthy, normal
individual to master the art of diving
sufficiently well to make it's pursuit
worth while
Good diving, in fact, is chiefly q mat
ter of correct timing Of movement and
body control, both obtainable through
practice The novitiate is rather try
ing, for before the beginner has learn
ed to enter the water cleanly he Is
bound to suffer a few slaps and jolts,
but If a low springboard is used, as it
should be, the punishment is not severe,
and one soon finds the way to avoid it.
The preliminary work is excellent
training for body and mind in truth.
1t brings into play every set of mus
cles, placing upon each its full share
of the effort; it schools the brain to
think quickly and accurately; it tends
to develop that enviable quality
nerve.
There is u marked disposition among
novices nowadays to attempt from the
first some difficult dives which strike
=
too strongly condemned. Apart from
the fact that reckIessness is often the
cause of injury, nothing is gained by
rushing ahead before undergoing the
| Indispensable period of elementary
work.
In order to perform properly any one
of the complicated dives it is essential
| to be able to adjust the position of the
body for a clean entry mechanically
instinctively, and this knack comes only
after careful and persistent study OF
the plain front and back dives.
1t is therefore all important to de
vote every attention to these funda
mental principles before proceeding
further and not even to attempt any
thing else until one is absolutely sure
of consistent and almost perfect exc
cution.
The front dive is usually taken at
run, for more action is then obtainable
but it is best to practice it first from
standing position. Walk out to til,
end of the springboard, place boil
feet together, heels touching and toe
bent over the edge; then raise the head
square the shoulders and either plac,
the hands on the hips or stretch tn
arms forward and parallel at right an
giles to the body. The attitude Shout,
be graceful and unstrained.
Now bring the arms sharply dow
and back, raising simultaneously o,
tiptoe; then swing them quickly fol
ward and spring up and out, launch
ing yourself with head erect, bod
slightly arched, legs straight and. close
feet pointing back.
This position is maintained until TIL
downward curve brings one near th
water, when the head is lowered
:. trifie, so that the entire body ma
Il pierce the surface forming straigf
line, shaftlike, at an angle of from G
II to 90 degrees.
II Prevalent faults to be avoided al
moving the arms or ducking the hea
II to prevent a slap IN striking the waite
/ bending at the waist while in fligh
! throwing back the lower legs in mida
or in entering before they are full
submerged.
For the back dive the body is hel
similarly in startings but. the shoulder
p are turned to the water, and the heel
instead of the toes, protrude over IL
end of the board. Again, one sprin,
up and out, raising the head and he
lowing the back, then Strengthening
= enter.
Usual faults incurred are twistir
D the body in any way to get a glimp
of the water, bending at the waist
knees, failing to point the toes, ope