Is diving better than leaning?

as someone above noted, once you leave your feet, you are no longer accelerating, so diving will only advance your torso faster than running by the falling action. I can think of no physical reason why diving to a point would be faster than running and falling precisely to that point.

Rules of track and rules of physics...

1. The torso rule has been a part of track and field since I have no idea how long. As long as I've been alive at least.

2. They don't wear chips in track races thus the "chip rule" has no effect. Chips are used mainly for convenience in large races. When determining places up front, for money and such, they will always use the torso rule. For determining time for the masses they will use the chip. Torso supercedes chip when it comes to places of importance...unless you have a bonehead RD.

3. Let's take a look at the physics of "the dive":

a. Have a friend video tape you.

b. From a running start jump forward with arms outstretched without leaning forward, ie without changing your vertical position.

c. Do the same again but this time lean as far forward as you can.

d. Look at the tape. In which instance is your arms and/or torso further out?

Running can be viewed as a series of repetitive single leg hops. By extending forward, leaning, you extend your vertical alignment slightly forward. The problem with excessive leaning is that you will trip and fall due to gravity. Hitting the track slows you down. If you time your lean to the last stride you should be able to extend your body forward, thus reaching toward the finish line with your torso. Falls, dives, etc do not happen on purpose on the track. A well timed lean will be just as effective. The dive is just a continuation of the lean...it just hurts a lot more.

Alan

Without getting into the physics of it all. A "dive" allows a much more powerful stride propelling the body much faster than during a stide. This amount of force can't be applied to normal stride because you have to stay on your feet for the following stride. This is not a concern with a dive, thus, if timed right & due to the added force the dive will get the torso to the line quicker. Falling or stumbling like a few did in the OT is not the same as a well executed dive. Examples are a diving receiver or outfielder. Continue running and they would not get to the ball.

William Munny wrote:

dingle wrote:

Diving (leaving your feet), is slow.

Haven't you people played another sport in your life?

Of course diving is faster. Under your premise, a baseball outfielder or football wide receiver should just keep running rather than dive for a ball. A baseball player running to first will and does dive in a crucial situation. The risk of injury is the reason it is not done routinely. The possible confusion is that KD, Smith, & Hooker all stumbled and fell. None of the three really dove. A well timed "dive" can pick up a few feet.

I have.

As others have noted, once you leave your feet you can no longer generate force. While a person diving may beat a person remaining upright, the chances are that the upright runner was slowing greatly.

As for diving in other sports there is a necessity of intersecting the ball before it hits the ground so leaving your feet might allow you to get into position better. Of course I recall a baseball player noting that too many players dive for balls that they can catch while standing.

A reason for sliding into a base is that you have to stop and also presents a smaller target. There are rare times where one needs to slide into first base such as a poor throw that pulls the first baseman off the bag. The runner then might choose to slide to come in under the tag.

A slide into other bases is done 1) to avoid the tag and 2) to stop at the bag.

A head first slide allows for one to take one's torso away from the bag but allows the hand to grab the bag.

I question why anyone would slide head first into home...

You make a few good points and a few I don't agree with.

While it is true that you don't generate force once airborne, but you generate additional force to get airborne. You also no longer have the friction of a foot on the ground.

Good point about diving for a ball. Probably a poor example on my part. It does get you in better position (closer to the ground) buying a little more time. It also gets you to the spot a little quicker.

I am not a proponent of sliding, only diving. Imagine the two of us running a race. 6 feet from the line, I dive into a pool while you keep sprinting parallel to me on the pool deck. I believe I would get to the line before you. In fact, I believe I would no longer see you once I dove because you would fall far enough behind to leave my peripheal vision.

u slide into home head first to avoid the tag with having the mobility and control to slide wide of the plate and catcher and be able to use your hand to tag the plate.