Quarter-Turn Jump
A straight jump with a quarter turn in the air, landing feet-first facing the side – the first controlled twist.
- Stages
- Diving – Stage 8, Diving – Stage 9
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Rotation, Jump Entry, Body Control
- Equipment
- None
- Age
- 8–99 years
- Group size
- 1–14 swimmers
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Feet-first only into water deep enough for jumping; clear area; turn away from the wall, never back towards it.
What it develops
- Show straight, star and tuck shapes in jumps
- Pike and turning jumps with control
How to run it
- Stand at the edge facing the water.
- Jump up and out, turning the head and shoulders a quarter turn as you leave.
- Stay straight and enter feet-first facing the side.
- Repeat turning the other way.
Teaching cues
- Head and shoulders lead the turn.
- Stay tall.
- Feet together on entry.
Make it easier
- Practise the quarter turn with a small jump on poolside (on a non-slip surface) first.
Make it harder
- Half turn (see Half-Turn Jump).
Common faults
- Turning before leaving the edge.
- Twisting at the waist only.
Corrections
- 'Jump first, then turn.'
- 'Turn your whole body like a door.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Point to the direction each swimmer should face when they land, standing on the side they turn towards.