Game version
Approach rhythm: a partner claps the steps while you walk through your approach on the deck, then swap. Your coach watches.
Platform Standing Start Routine
Practice walking to the end of a low platform, at a height your coach picks within your age group's limit (5 yards (5 m) at most for 11-and-under), setting your start and doing a straight feet-first entry.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
With your coach watching, walk calmly to the end of the platform.
Core: Your usual approach rhythm. Beat your own steadiest rhythm.
- Ages
- 14 and up
- Time
- 12 min
- Space
- Pool
- Bring
- Low platform, deep water, diving coach
- Level · skill
- Advanced · Approach & Start
The steps
How it works
- With your coach watching, walk calmly to the end of the platform.
- Set your toes at the edge and stand still and tall for 3 seconds.
- Swing your arms and step off into a straight feet-first entry.
- Do 6 to 8, the same way each time.
Coaching point
Walk, set, still, go.
Safety: Only on a board or platform with a diving coach watching, in water your coach has checked meets the diving depth standard (about 12 feet under a 1 yard (1 m) board). Never in shallow water, never alone.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (walk), Core (your usual approach rhythm), More (add the hurdle with your coach watching). Beat your own steadiest rhythm.
Story
You are a drumbeat walking to the end of the board.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own steadiest rhythm. 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.