Tips for beginner diver

Question
I just joined the dive team for our school a few days ago, and I'm trying to learn some dives... I need 3 for the first meet. What do you suggest I should learn?

I'm trying to learn a inward back dive? (not sure if it's called that), where I start facing backwards and jump up and dive down. I'm having trouble getting my body straight as I go down into the water. Can you provide me any tips?

I am really bad at frontflip dives as well. I just can't seem to rotate enough....

If you could give me any tips at all for technique and such, it would be great. Our coach is good, but she doesn't really go through technique as you enter the water. Thanks!

Answer
Jeff-

Here is what I think you ought to do since you are new to the sport:

The easiest 3 dives for your first meet I feel are front dive, back dive and inward dive. Do them in the position you can do the best. The inward dive description has no "back" to it.

If you cannot flip forward very well, try doing a front roll on the deck of the pool. Make sure you are using a gymnastic type mat to roll on. If you can do that the right way on the ground, then take the mat, fold it up so it is not very wide and put it on the end of the board. Now do the same forward roll that you did on the ground into the water. Make sure when you complete the forward roll that you un-tuck (called a kick out) and stand up on the water. This will give you a feel for how to do a front flip.Your coach will tell you when you are ready to do a real one for a meet.

For entry drills, you need to know how to do a front line-up. Go to www.diving.about.com. In the search box in the upper right hand corner, enter "Front line -up". That will take you to a page where you can click on various articles about entry techniques.

Also go to www.flipnrip.com Click on videos and it will take you a page where there are many to choose from. Click on the one called "diving lessons". Good pointers there from a college coach.
If you have to register to see the videos, it is free.

Good luck with your season.