Find your inner Jedi

In every sport there are key techniques that athletes must master in order to progress. Here, experts from some of the UK's most popular sports, explain how you can tap into your inner Jedi

- DOMINIC BLISS

When high-jumper Dick Fosbury perfected his revolutionary Fosbury Flop, he totally transformed his sport, winning gold medal at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. His headfirst approach – highly unorthodox at the time – was quickly adopted by every elite high-jumper on the planet. Anyone still practising the old scissors or straddle techniques was left in the lurch. Like the high jump, every sport involves vital techniques, without which athletes don't stand a chance of winning. Here, we pick out key ones from popular sports – along with coaching tips from top professionals.

Tumble turn in swimming

Paul Newsome is a professional swimming coach and author of Swim Smooth: The Complete Coaching System for Swimmers and Triathletes (Fernhurst Books). Start tumbling forwards, he says, about one metre away from the wall of the swimming pool, while tucking your chin into your chest and keeping your arms by your sides.

“Think about getting into the tightest, smallest ball that you can,” he writes. “This will help you flip over faster than if you stay outstretched. Bring your knees into your chest. Start bringing your hands back above your head.”

At this point, swimmers should plant their feet on the pool wall, with knees, ankles and feet together, and knees bent at angle of 90 degrees. “As you drive off the wall, stretch out in a full torpedo position,” he adds. “Add in a few freestyle flutter kicks or dolphin (butterfly) kicks to emphasise your speed off the wall and rotate fully back onto your front.”

Once you are around five metres from the wall, you should resurface.

Tennis serve

With 24 Grand Slam singles titles to his name - an unbeaten record - Novak Djokovic can rightfully call himself the greatest player in the sport's history. Key to his domination is his amazing serve.