Physical Education

Unit - 8

8.1.8.1.Trajectory
Since the parabola is symmetrical, the travel away from the board as the diver passes it is twice the amount of the forward travel at the peak of the flight. Excessive forward distance to the entry point is penalized when scoring a dive, but obviously an adequate clearance from the diving board is essential on safety grounds.
The greatest possible height that can be achieved is desirable for several reasons:

• the height attained is itself one of the factors that the judges will reward.
• a greater height gives a longer flight time and therefore more time to execute maneuvers.
• for any given clearance when passing the board, the forward travel distance to the entry point will be less for a higher trajectory.