Tips for going to a 1 1/2 frontflip

Question
I'm overrotating my regular frontflip a little too much, and my coach wants me to start doing 1 1/2. The problem is, I'm not sure what else to do besides staying in my tuck a little longer...

Could you give me some tips for helping me do a successful 1 1/2? Thanks!

Answer
Jeff-

The best things I can tell you about the new dive you want to get are as follows:

1. You have to figure out first why you are over rotating on a front somersault.It could be that you are holding on too long or that you are doing the flip with your eyes closed. Spend some time perfecting your front flip before you do the 1 %26 1/2.

2. You need to know how to do a good front dive tuck as part of learning the 1 %26 1/2. The reason is because you will need to come out of the new dive with same kick that you use on a front dive tuck.If you do not know this front dive, make sure your coach teaches it to you. If you already know it, practice it more before you do the new dive.

3. When doing your first 1 %26 1/2, besides holding on longer, make sure you keep your eyes open so you can see the water before you kick out of the tuck position. You should start to see the water at about the 1 %26 1/4 mark and then hold on until you are upside down so you can kick your feet up to the vertical position before you enter the water. Your entry should then be the same as a front dive tuck.

4. I always tell divers when learning this dive that the beginning of it is the same as a front flip - it is the ending that changes (going head first instead of feet first). If you start the 1 %26 1/2 differently than the somersault (like trying to jump higher) you may end up with a poor entry. Keep the start the same, squeeze the tuck tightly past the 1 flip mark and hold on until you see the water. The ending should then be like the front dive tuck. You just need to figure out how to put the two skills together so you end up with a new dive.

Hope this helps. Good luck.