Mechanics of a Dive

  • Approach:  Step(s) forward to the end of the board before the hurdle and takeoff.
  • Hurdle:  The final segment of a diver’s approach to takeoff. Consists of a spring to the end of the board, taking off from one foot, and landing on two feet at the end of the board.
  • Takeoff:  A diver’s lift from the board prior to execution of the dive. May be done from a forward (running or standing) or backward standing.
  • Entry:  The conclusion of a dive as a diver makes contact with the water. May be either head or feet-first. Upon entry, the body should always be near vertical in a straight position with toes pointed. In a headfirst entry, arms should be stretched above the head in line with the body and hands close together.

Dive Positions

  • Straight (A):  A dive position in which the body is straight without bending at knees or hips, feet together and toes pointed. Formerly called the layout position.
  • Pike (B):  A dive position in which the body is bent at the hips, legs straight at the knees, and toes pointed. Feet should be held together and position of arms is optional.
  • Tuck (C):  A dive position in which the body is bent at the waist and knees, with thighs drawn to the chest and feet kept close to the buttocks. Feet and knees should be kept together and toes should be pointed.
  • Free (D):  A combination of straight, pike or tuck positions. To be used in twisting dives only as listed in the DD tables.

Movements

  • Somersault:  A movement in which a diver rotates the body on an imaginary horizontal axis through the hips. A dive that can be performed in a variety of combinations.
  • Rotations:  Somersaults – Number of head to toe rotations. If the number of rotations is listed as 2, it means one full rotation. (Example: 7 = 3 1/2 somersaults).
  • Twisting:  Number of half twists (Example: 3 = 1 1/2 twists).
  • Balk:  An illegal movement by the diver: (1) a false start in which a diver makes an obvious attempt to start the dive but stops the dive motion before takeoff; (2) takeoff for the hurdle from both feet.

Diving Groups

  • Forward (100 Group):  Takeoff from a standing or running approach, facing the water. Direction of rotation is away from the board (forward).
  • Back (200 Group):  Takeoff from the end of the board with back toward water. Direction of rotation is away from the board (backward).
  • Reverse (300 Group):  Takeoff from a standing or running approach, facing the water. Direction of rotation is toward the board (backward).
  • Inward (400 Group):  Takeoff from a standing position at the end of the board, with back to the water. Direction of rotation is toward the board (forward).
  • Twisting (5000 Group):  Any dive with a lateral twist. There are four types of twisting dives: forward, back, reverse and inward.
  • Fall-in (001 or 002 Group):  A front dive or back dive in which the diver does not have to have a takeoff.
  • Jumps (Designated as 100 or 200):  A movement in which the diver starts motion just as in a front or back dive, but enters the water feet-first without any rotating or twisting motion.

Decoding Dive Numbers:

Dives are described by their full name (e.g. Back Dive Tuck) or by their numerical identification (e.g. 201C) or dive number.  Most dive numbers use three digits and a letter and is comprised of the:

  • Dive group (Forward (1), Backward (2), Reverse (3), Inward (4)
  • Initial position (For springboard, this is almost always 0)
  • Number of 1/2 somersaults (Unless entry will be feet first, this will be an odd number)
  • Diving position (Straight (A), Pike (B), Tuck (C), Free (D))

Twisting dives utilize four numerical digits beginning with the number 5 followed by three digits and a letter.

  • Twisting Dives start with a 5
  • Dive group (Forward (1), Backward (2), Reverse (3), Inward (4)
  • Number of 1/2 somersaults (Unless entry will be feet first, this will be an odd number)
  • Number of twists measured in half rotations e.g. 2 is 1 full rotation
  • Diving position (Straight (A), Pike (B), Tuck (C), Free (D))

Putting it All Together with Examples:

102B = Forward (1) one somersault (02) Pike position (B)

201A = Back (2) dive (01) Straight position (A)

302C = Reverse (3) one somersault (02) Tuck position (C)

401C = Inward (4) dive (01) Tuck position (C)

5231D = Twist (5) Back (2) 1 1/2 somersaults (3), 1/2 twists (1), Free position (D)

Degree of Difficulty

All dives also have a corresponding Degree of Difficulty (DD) rating ranging from 1.2 to 3.7 for executing a specific dive according to how hard it is to perform. The DD is multiplier or factor used with judges scores in figuring the score for a dive.

Scoring Dives

Judges award scores for a dive ranging from 0 – 1o in 1/2 point increments based on criteria and standards defined by the NVSL to include starting position and approach, take-off, technique and grace in the air, height off the board, distance from the board, quality of the position, and entry into the water.

  • A score of 5 to 6.5 is considered satisfactory but misses aspects that keep it from being an excellent dive.
  • Additional information on scoring can be found here:  NVSL Judges Clinic Handout

When calculating the overall score or “award” for a dive, the highest and lowest judge scores are ignored.  If there are 5 judges, the remaining 3 scores are kept, totaled, and then multiplied by the Degree of Difficulty (DD) of that dive to give the final score.