Dive Team and Lesson Information Packet
The Hoover Dive Team has a competitive record unparalleled in the state. Our program has a consistent
record of producing divers that continue through college. Divers from our program have proceeded to
dive at University of Alabama, Auburn University, Georgia Tech and others. Divers from our program
have won 18 High School State Championships (between boys and girls) since 1996. Our divers are
competitive on the regional and national level. In past years, we have had three divers who ranked in
the top 10 at the US Diving age group nationals and a runner up at the AAU National Championships.
Our Mission Statement:
We strive to teach divers the fundamental mechanics of diving and good sportsmanship that will allow
them to pursue diving up to the collegiate level, and to identify and nurture divers who will be
competitive on the regional and national level in year round diving competition.
Our Coaching Staff:
Charlie Dunham: Charlie was an age group diver in Birmingham, Alabama. As an age group diver, he
competed on the national level. In college, he dove at Florida State University. He has been coaching
since 1985.
Nolan Griffin: Nolan was an age group diver here at the Hoover Recreation Center. As an age group
diver he qualified for the US Diving National Championship, and was a finalist at the Alabama High
School State Championships. He has been coaching since 2010.
Eligibility Requirements:
The Hoover Dive Team does not have any age limits or restrictions for participation – there is a place for
every skill level. For the lessons group, the diver simply needs to be able to swim to the side of the pool
with no difficulty. All divers are expected to participate on both the 1 and 3 Meter boards. Participation
at team level is at the coaches’ discretion. All divers must be a member of the Hoover Recreation Center
and AAU.
Intermediate Team
Members attend a minimum of 3 practices from the following:
Monday through Thursday evening from 6:30pm-8:30pm
Saturday mornings 9:00am-11:00am
General Overview: The Intermediate Team is designed for divers who are currently perfecting their skills
and want to work towards competing on the regional and national level. The Intermediate Team still has
a focus on mechanics and the basics for safe and fun diving. This group also has a focus on learning and
perfecting a larger number of dives in order to progress to the J.O. team.
Eligibility: Divers who have completed the Lessons skills to the satisfaction of the coaches will be eligible
to join the Intermediate Team. They will work on a novice or intermediate competition list outlined in
the competition requirements. Participation is solely at the coaches’ discretion.
Costs:
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All divers need to have either an annual full membership to the Hoover Recreation Center or
have a resident program pass ($25). Non-residents may join the team with a non-resident
program pass for $50.
All divers must have a membership to AAU Diving for insurance purposes ($16 annual fee).
Intermediate dive team for full members and resident program pass holders is $68/month or
$85/month for non-resident program pass holders.
There is a coaching fee for all meets ($25-$75), plus registration per event. (Normal entry fees
are about $15 per event).
Expectations and Goals:
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The first 30 minutes of practice will be stretching. This is very important to improving as a diver.
All divers will be expected to be on time and participate in the stretching. A diver who arrives
late will spend the amount of time they are late stretching while the others divers are in the
water.
Divers in this group are expected to attend a minimum of 3 practices a week. Consistent failure
to attend 3 practices a week will result in loss of your team spot.
All divers are expected to attend any meets that have competition for their skill level.
All divers should be working toward an FINA Dive list as outlined below:
FINA Dive Requirements:
9 & Under
10 - 11
12 - 13
14 - 15
16 - 18
(Group E)
(Group D)
(Group C)
(Group B)
(Group A)
Boys and Girls Boys and Girls Girls: 5 Vols – 2 Ops Girls: 5 Vols – 3 Ops Girls: 5 Vols – 4 Ops
3 Vols – 1 Op 3 Vols – 2 Ops Boys: 5 Vols – 3 Ops Boys: 5 Vols – 4 Ops Boys: 5 Vols – 5 Ops
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Ages are determined as of December 31st of the current year.
All voluntaries (Vols) and optionals (Ops) must be from different groups.
Groups are: Forward, Backward, Reverse, Inward and Twisting
Advanced Team
Members attend a minimum of 3 practices from the following
Monday through Thursday evenings from 6:30pm-9:00pm
Saturday mornings 9:00am-11:30am
General Overview: The Advanced Team is designed for divers who would like to compete on the
regional, national, and High School levels. The Advanced Team still has a focus on mechanics and the
basics, but the primary focus is on learning and perfecting a larger number of dives in order to compete
at the Elite level meets. The Intermediate and Advanced Teams will be limited to a combined total of 15
divers.
Eligibility: Any diver who has completed the Novice or Intermediate dive list and has been asked by the
coaches to participate has the ability to join the Elite Team. Participation is solely at the coaches’
direction.
Costs:
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All divers need to have either an annual full membership to the Hoover Recreation Center or
have a resident program pass ($25). Non-residents may join the team with a non-resident
program pass for $50.
All divers must have a membership to AAU Diving for insurance purposes ($16 annual fee).
Advanced dive team for full members and resident program pass holders is $80/month or
$100/month for non-resident program pass holders.
There is a coaching fee for all meets ($25-$75), plus registration per event. (Normal entry fees
are about $15 per event).
Expectations and goals:



The first 30 minutes of practice will be stretching. This is very important to improving as a
diver. All divers will be expected to be on time and participate in the stretching. A diver who
arrives late will spend the amount of time they are late stretching while the other divers are in
the water.
Divers in this group are expected to attend a minimum of 3 practices a week. Consistent failure
to attend 3 practices a week can result in being moved back to the intermediate team.
All divers are expected to attend all meets - especially national qualifying meets.
Lessons Group
Members attend 2 practices per week from the following choices:
Monday through Thursday evenings from 6:30pm-8:00pm
Saturday mornings from 8:00am-9:30am
General Overview: The Lessons Group is the entry point for all divers. In Lessons, we learn the basic
mechanics for safe and fun diving. The group is limited to no more than 10 divers at any point in time.
This group is designed for the diver who is not ready to make a long-term commitment to the sport of
diving. Registration is on a monthly basis. Lessons divers are encouraged to attend home meets.
Eligibility: Divers of any skill level will be accepted into this group. The diver should be able to
consistently perform all of the drills outlined below before they will be eligible to move to Team.
Costs:



All divers need to have either an annual full membership to the Hoover Recreation Center or
have a resident program pass ($25). Non-residents may join the team with a non-resident
program pass for $50.
All divers must have a membership to AAU Diving for insurance purposes ($16 annual fee).
Lessons Group for full members and resident program pass holders is $56/month or $70/month
for non-resident program pass holders.
Drills:
Hurdle Drills (1 and 3 Meter):
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Standing Front Jump – Standing jump concentrating on arm swing and flat body
Hop Hop – Flat body hop to end of the board followed by full press with arm swing to water
Step Hurdle – Approach drill concentrating on timing
Four-Step Hurdle – Full front approach concentrating on board timing and body position
Back Press – Full back press concentrating on timing and flat body
Dive Drills (1 Meter):
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Standing Front Dive Tuck – Hands above head working on tuck kick out motions
Back Entry – Standing back fall off concentrating on a flat body
Back Dive Straight with a push – Concentrating on flat body and head position
Entries (3 Meter):
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Front Entry – Bent at waist with flat body concentrating on flat hand entry
Tuck Roll – Sitting on end of board concentrating on kick out and flat body stretch
Pike Roll – Sitting on end of board concentrating on flat body come out and stretch
Back Entry – Back fall off concentrating on flat body and head position
Back Roll – Back tuck roll concentrating on kick out body and head position