Starts - Steve Haufler Teaching Starts

Important Note to the Viewer

LESSONS: 12 VIDEOS

Introduction

Steve’s philosophy on teaching young swimmers to dive is to give them a variety of physical experiences that relate to a dive. As a coach, you never know what will “Click” with the swimmers. He doesn’t use all of these drills every day, but he does use a combination of them and select specific skills to practice with different kids. he really thinks the “secret” to success is to start on day 1 and practice dives every day.)

Tumbles

The ability to tuck their chin and roll forward is related to the feeling of diving. By rolling downhill it gives the swimmers a feeling of “losing their forward balance”. A dive is a controlled surrender of balance. There is a moment in every dive, and forward roll, where the swimmers are at the point of no return.

In Water Streamline Push

The purpose of the streamline push is to help the swimmer get the feeling of entering and going under the water in a streamline position. And, at the same time they learn to remember to blow bubbles out their nose.

Streamline Jumps.

The purpose of streamline vertical jumps on the lawn is to help the swimmer learn to engage their jumping muscles. I want them to know how to push all the way through to their feet and to point their toes. That’s why we have them look at their feet. It is also interesting to see their leaping ability. We also have them in a streamline position so they get the feeling of finding that position as they push.

Water Jumps

Moving the swimmers to the water, Steve lets the swimmers simply jump in the water. This easy skill is an association exercise that helps the swimmers learn better control of their bodies in the water.

In Water Low over a Noodle

Again, the purpose of this drill is to give the swimmers the feeling of a dive. It helps them learn to accept the head down streamline entry position into the water. It works best in a small group, when one of the swimmers can help secure the noodle. Have the swimmers kick into a streamline dolphin kick, or a streamline flutter kick.

Side Fall over Noodle (Streamline Dive)

The purpose of adding the noodle is facilitate a strong and explosive push by giving the diver a goal to push over.

Leaf Chin Tuck Fall (Streamline Dive w/Leaf)

The purpose of the leaf is to give the diver a goal of keeping an object pressed against their chest with their chin. This will ensure they keep their head down if the leaf stays in place throughout the dive.

Board Slide Fall (Slippery Seal):

In addition to being a fun drill, the board slide helps the swimmer get the feeling of entering fingers first into the water. Make sure the boogie board is wet for a much more enjoyable experience by the swimmer.

Track Start Fall

We introduce the 2 feet forward dive first because we feel it is easier for young swimmers to coordinate both feet to do the same thing at the same time. However, we want them to experience the track start early in their diving development. Also, sometimes the track start position works better for some kids.

Arm Swing Fall (Trophy Dive)

We use this dive because the arm swing often helps the diver generate forward momentum and encourages a simultaneous push with the legs as the arms swing forward.

Graduated Block Height

Low Block (12 inches) Intermediate Block (18 inches) Standard Block (30 inches) This is simply a graduated height progression to help the diver acclimate to progressively greater heights as they develop their diving skills.