Over the Top Entry
Refines the standing dive so the body travels up and over into a steep entry rather than out and flat – aiming the hands at a soft floating target.
- Stages
- Diving – Stage 10
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Skills
- Starts, Take-Off, Diving Entry
- Equipment
- Float
- Age
- 10–99 years
- Group size
- 1–10 swimmers
- Time
- About 6 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Head-first entries only into water deep enough under the pool's diving policy for standing dives – never shallow water; one at a time; area checked clear.
- Soft targets only – never hoops or hard objects. A steeper entry needs more depth: if unsure, don't.
What it develops
- Standing dives with control and good entry
How to run it
- Only where depth and pool rules allow standing dives, and only for swimmers whose standing dive the teacher has approved.
- Place a soft floating target (a float, not a hoop) a short distance out from the edge.
- From a balanced stance, lift the hips as the arms swing forward so the body goes up and over, hands aiming at the target.
- Enter steeply through the hands with legs together, steer up, surface and swim away.
Teaching cues
- Hips up, then over.
- Hands find the target.
- Legs together all the way in.
Make it easier
- Return to the lunge or crouch dive with the same 'hips up' focus.
Make it harder
- Move the target slightly closer to encourage a steeper entry (teacher's decision).
Common faults
- Pushing out flat.
- Lifting the head to look at the target.
Corrections
- 'Up and over, like a rainbow.'
- 'Find the target with your hands, not your eyes.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Reposition the soft target only when the teacher signals and the entry area is empty; watch each swimmer surface.