Q&A for How to Dive Into a Pool

You just have to practice and focus on bending your body the right way so that your body enters the water at an angle instead of straight down. A belly flop is often caused by someone not entering the water at a sharp enough angle, so make sure to aim straight downwards.

The only real sure way is to have a coach or experienced diver watch and critique you, then help you to make necessary adjustments. It can be worth paying for a few lessons to ensure this. Other than that, you could watch videos on diving. When diving, check that you're not hurting yourself on entry, not making large splashes and that you're entering the water in a streamlined fashion.

Yes, as it says in Step 1, part 1, the pool must be deep or you risk a head or spinal injury. The Red Cross considers nine feet to be a good depth for diving if you want to be especially cautious, but the diving area in many pools is eight feet deep. Never dive into a pool that's less than eight feet deep. And if diving from the high board, the high dive must be above very deep water, since you'll be entering the water faster. The water should be at least 12 feet (3.7 m) deep, to be on the safe side.

The solution is to keep your chin tucked to your chest, and also when entering the water, hold your hands in a tight streamline.

The basic movements would be walking to the end of the platform, jumping to make sure you have enough air, and then diving into the water.

You don't necessarily need someone if you think that you can do it properly by yourself. But it would be better to have someone who can point out what you're doing right and wrong; they can help you improve.

Sure, that is a good way to do it. This is very close to one of the techniques described in the article, except for the roll under water. Rolling all the way through helps to learn how to position your body under water. Consider cutting out the roll part after a while though, to focus on entering the water at a good angle. Rolling through allows you to enter the water at any angle, as opposed to the specific angles best suited for diving in.

When you are about to dive, the knees should be bent. But when you are in motion towards the pool, the knees should not be bent.

Put your hands in front of your face like you're cracking your knuckles and stretch them out.

Start standing straight up on the block. Then, place your 'good' foot in front with the toe of that foot curling over the edge of the block. Next, bend down and grab the edge of the block with your toe in the middle. Now lean back, storing energy. When ready, pull yourself forward while pushing off with your toe, legs and arms. Enter the water in a streamline position.

Yes, because otherwise, you will not get a fast dive and you will probably smack your finger and head straight into the water.

If you can practice diving a lot, try to focus on different parts of your body. In this case, you want to focus on your knees and, after you've done it properly, you just need to try to add it to your normal dive.

No, your goggles shouldn't break when you dive.

If your goggles are falling off it means your head is in the wrong position, adjust it and keep practicing.

You have got to be slow with your breathing and take a deep breath. It should take 3 seconds for your breath.

It is preferable to look down at the water when diving to avoid breaking any bones.

Whether you dive head first or jump feet first, the goal is to shape your body as much like a needle as possible. If you were to jump down a tube where you fit comfortably if you stretch out and fold your arms over your chest, you will slide down easily, but if you jump into the tube with your arms stretched out, they will hit the sides of the tube. Water is like a tube, only it fits your body snugly, and moves out of the way if you jump in. So offer the water as few flat surfaces as possible and you will go in straight.

No. Diving into a pool, with or without using a diving board, should only be done in a diving well or where the pool is at least 9 feet deep.

Yes, as long as you know what you're doing and the water is a safe depth.

If diving off the starting blocks, or even off the side of the pool, the best way to keep a streamline position is to have your arms directly above your head. Your upper arms should be tight against your ears so no water can get through the gap.

Just remember, you are landing in water. The chances of hurting yourself doing this are slim to none if you're not doing a complicated dive. Ask a friend to practice diving with you so you have some moral support.

Don't tuck in your chin as much. Try to make your goggles be the first part of your face to enter the water. It might hurt a little at first, but you'll get used to it.

If you're on a starting block and you dive straight down, try to reach for the flags when you dive. Try to focus on going straight out but also a little bit up. If you can, ask a coach to watch your dives. After you dive a few times, ask them what you need to do to improve, and then practice fixing your mistakes.

In order to not go too deep in the water, you should try something called a "pike save." As soon as your entire body is in the water, perform a front roll in the water with straight legs, then swim back to the surface. However, this is not a solution for diving in a pool that is too shallow for diving. Do not attempt to dive in a pool that is less than 10 feet deep.

Empty your bladder just before diving and don't drink any water afterwards. When you hit the water, squeeze your pelvic muscles tight to avoid losing control over your bladder.

Yes. If the water is too shallow, you could injure your head or spine; even if this doesn't cause you to die outright, you could be knocked unconscious or become paralyzed and drown.

Yes. If the depth into which you're diving is too shallow, you could hit the bottom and cause a neck/spinal injury that paralyzes you and causes you to drown. Even if you were rescued, you could still have permanent injury.

Yes. It would be a very good idea to know how to swim first.