Diving 101
There are three parts to every dive.
1. The approach/hurdle ~ smooth and graceful is what we want.
2. The takeoff and the flight of the dive “the higher, the better” along with a safe distance from the board
3. The entry into the water ~ vertical is what we want.
These are the three things a good judge should be looking for. All dives are scored between 1-10 points. A ten is a perfect dive. Diving judges should know the scoring scale:
10 Excellent; 8.5 - 9.5 Very Good; 7-8 Good; 5-6.5 Satisfactory; 2.5 - 4.5 Deficient; 0.5 - 2 Unsatisfactory; 0 Completely failed.
There are five categories in diving: The forward group, the back group, the reverse group, the inward group, and a twisting group. Whenever you add a twist to any of the four groups it then belongs in the twisting group. All dives must be performed in a declared position: tuck, pike, straight or free position. Free position is only for twisting categories. A required dive is a dive from one of the five categories. An optional dive is something a little fancier than a dive; for example, a front flip or a back 1½ somersault. As the diver gets older, the dive requirements get harder.
Starting position:
1. Stand up straight
2. Head erect.
3. Arms held straight at a position of the diver’s choice
Keep in Mind:
1. “The higher, the better.”
2. Safe Distance always
3. Compact tucks and pikes
4. Good form – legs straight, feel together, and toes pointed.
5. Entry – little splash
TERMS to KNOW:
Balk – After assuming the starting position, the diver makes an obvious attempt to start the approach or press down and then stops. The head referee should announce that 2 points should be taken off at the table.
Crow Hop – lifting the feet from the board before actually leaving the board. Crow hops are extremely dangerous so we want to take points away.
Degree of Difficulty - Judge just the dive; don’t be influenced by how hard the dive is.
Failed dives (0 pts) determined by the referee – The following reason make a failed dive:
1. The diver performs a dive – other than what is announced
2. Balks twice
3. On a head first dive, the feet contact the water before the hands
4. On a feet first dive, any other body part contacts the water first
5. On a twist dive, the diver does greater or less than 90 degrees of what is announced
– 180 degrees equal a half twist
6. The diver falls off the board into the water
7. The diver receives assistance or spotting
8. The diver refused to execute the dive
9. The diver takes off with one foot
10. If the diver takes more than one bounce
11. A diver takes more than one minute to execute the dive.
A diver can only earn a 4 ½ MAX if they:
1. enter the water with their hands above the shoulders on a feet first entry
2. one or both hands below the shoulders on a head first dive (sailor dive)
3. the diver is in partial position other than what is announced – slightly bent knees in a
pike or bent at the waist in a layout.
A diver can only earn 2 points MAX if a diver performs a dive clearly in a position that is different from what is announced. Not a break in position; but the wrong position. Always check the dive sheet with the announcer.
In the 7 Hills Swim and Dive League jumpers are exhibition - Meaning they earn no points for the team. As a general rule, I do not put kids in a meet until they know the required amount of dives.
ONLY Judge the DIVE not the DIVER….“A good diver is capable of doing a bad dive just as a less accomplished diver is capable of performing a good dive.”
This summary was taken from Steve Voellmecke’s; How to Judge Diving. He can be reached atwww.divecincinnati.com or [email protected].
If you have any questions for me, I can be reached at 513-919-7465 [email protected]
