Final answer:
Raising hands above the head before diving improves the dive by creating a streamlined shape for smoother entry into the water.
The lesser splash and less resistance compared to a belly flop-like entry with a full palm demonstrate the effectiveness of the proper diving technique.
Step-by-step explanation:
Raising his hands above his head before diving will improve his diving. This is because entering the water with hands above the head and fingers first creates a streamlined shape, reducing water resistance and allowing for a smoother entry.
Comparatively, hitting the water with the full palm, like a belly flop, produces a larger surface area which increases resistance and can cause pain and injury due to the stronger impact with the water.
When a swimmer enters the water with their fingers first and hands above their head, it mimics the action of diving your hand into water with your fingers first.
This movement creates less splash and smoother entry, just as a well-executed dive does. On the other hand, impacting the water with your full palm (representing a belly flop) results in a large splash and a more forceful, less graceful entry, which is generally advised against for safety and performance reasons.