Game version
Quiet-entry game: a partner watches from the side and gives a thumbs-up for a straight line and a small splash. Swap. Only dives your coach has cleared.
Flat Hand Grab
Learn on land the flat hand grab that makes a hole in the water for the rest of your body.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Reach both arms straight up by your ears.
Core: A dive you know. Beat your own quietest entry.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 6 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Small room
- Bring
- Nothing to bring
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Entry
The steps
How it works
- Reach both arms straight up by your ears.
- Place one palm flat on the back of the other hand, palms facing up.
- Grip with your thumbs and squeeze your arms together.
- Hold for 5 seconds; do 15.
Coaching point
Flat hands, squeezed ears.
Safety: Use a mat or soft floor with space all around you. Stop if anything hurts.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (feet-first from the deck), Core (a dive you know), More (the same dive from higher, with your coach’s OK). Beat your own quietest entry.
Story
You are a needle slipping into the water without a ripple.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own quietest entry. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
Print it now, or save it free
Free for families and teams
Save this drill to your child or team, free
Sign up and the free diving week for this age opens in your child's planner, kept to healthy limits. A coach can send this drill to the whole team as homework, and parents see every session logged.
14 days free for a family, no card · Running a team is always free
Does your child's coach know about this?
An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.