1957-58

SWIMMING (DIVING)
753
recoils. The feet should leave the board as the hands pass in front
of the face in the upward and outward arm swing.
(Note: The movement of the arms to the " Flight " position
takes place after the feet have left the board.)
Some divers prefer to make a pause in the arm swing at the
bottom of the first downwards movement or for certain dives to
extend the arms above the head and one of these alternatives may
be adopted at the choice of the diver. Apart from this there should
be no hesitation or pause and the whole sequence of movements
from start to finish should form a smooth and easy action in co-
ordination with the rhyt
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the board.
The upward arm swing is continued above shoulder level so that
the hands pass slightly to the side and above the head. The chest
is lifted and the head drawn back in time with the arm swing. The
arms are then swung outwards and backwards until they are level
with and in line with the shoulders. This position, so well known
as " the swallow," should not be reached until just after the top of
the flight, at which point the feet should be just slightly above the
level of the head. There must be no hesitation or pause throughout
the whole sequence of these movements, which should form a
smooth, easy action, perfectly co-ordinated with the rhythm of the
board. The " swallow " position must be held until just before
the body enters the warer, when the head should be moved forward
and the arms moved in front of the head to the entry position. The
body should then be perfectly straight and the entry into the water
should be vertical.
Running
The " run " consists of not less than three steps in addition to
the jump at the end of the board. The steps must be smooth and
even with the feet somewhat in front of the body. As the steps are
being taken the heels touch the board before the toes. The diver
should keep his eyes on the end of the board without dropping the
head any more than is necessary. The arms may hang relaxed at
the sides or may be used in any simultaneous movement to assist
in maintaining the balance of the body.
The jump or " hurdle " step is taken from a point about two feet
from the end of the board and should be as high as possible. As
the jump is made the arms are swung slightly inwards, forwards
and upwards, so that the hands are nearly touching as they pass in
front of the face. This swing is continued upwards and outwards
in a circular motion until the arms are pointing upwards and are at
an angle of about 45 degrees to the horizontal. They should reach
this position as the highest point of the jump is reached. The trunk
has remained vertical and as contact is made with the board the whole
body from feet upwards again becomes vertical and as there is now
no need for the eyes to be on the end of the board the head is also
brought to the " erect " position. As the balls of the feet alight
the arms are swung outwards, slightly backwards and downwards.
Full contact is made with the feet, the heels touch the board, the
knees bend slightly and the full weight of the body is used to depress
the board. Care must be taken to ensure that there is no excessive
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