Advantages of Dryland Training in Springboard and Platform Diving

Dryland training for springboard and platform diving is a vital ingredient for success in the sport of diving today. Many diving teams use dryland facilities for more than 50% of their practice sessions and a trend has developed over the last 10 years for clubs to have a separate facility for this type of training method.

Most dryland training involves using a trampoline, or diving board with a port-a-pit or landing pit. In conjunction with the trampoline or dryland board is a spotting belt and ropes that allow the divers to spin or twist while held in the air by a certified coach acting as the spotter. Using a spotting apparatus allows the diver to practice a dive in a safe and efficient manner.

• Diving Can Tear Down the Body: Diving is an impact sport and the constant pounding of the body on the water can begin to tear down a diver’s body. Dryland training can help to reduce the stress on the body and allow the diver to continue to train at a high level.
• Lack of Available Pool Time: Many teams are faced with inadequate facilities or the inability to consistently rent aquatic facilities and swimming pools in order to practice. Dryland training can help divers to practice their dives without actually having to practice them in the swimming pool or aquatic facility.
• Isolating Specific Skills: Dryland training can be used to practice specific training methods and skills needed to successfully complete dives. By practicing these skills such as kicking out of dives or learning to initiate a somersault; then putting them together in a particular dive, a diver can find success.
• Practicing Dives Without the Fear of Smacking: One constant fear for every diver is “smacking” the water. In a smack, a diver will hit the water at less than or more than a 90-degree angle to the water. A smack can cause welts, bruising, or in a worse case scenario a dislocation, concussion, or ruptured ear drum. Needless to say, a smack can create a lack of confidence in a diver’s ability and the fear of a particular dive. By training on a dryland diving board or trampoline and a spotting apparatus, the diver can perform dives without the fear of smacking.