Diving Competition Rules and Regulations

Introduction

With the Summer Olympics just around the corner, you may be curious about why announcers go wild over one diver's performance, while another's seemingly flawless display of grace and courage completely misses the mark. What follows is a general overview of international diving rules and regulations for judging dives, so that you'll understand why the final score can either soar, or fall off the deep end.

Most diving competitions involve three general categories: Springboard diving (1 meter and 3 meter), platform diving, and synchronized diving. World class diving events fall under the jurisdiction of FINA, the governing body for international swimming and diving competitions.

To view the organization's official diving rules and regulations, please visit www.fina.org. For the complete, official set of diving rules and regulations for use in competitions in the US, visit USA Diving at www.usadiving.org.

General Diving Rules and Regulations

Judging the Dive

Judges base their overall impression of a dive on the following elements:

• The starting position
• The approach
• The takeoff
• The flight
• The entry into the water

The rules state that the diving judge must not be influenced by any factor other than the technique and execution of the dive, and have no regard to the starting position, the difficulty of the dive, or movement beneath the surface of the water. A few other things judges have to consider are:

• A dive not performed from the position announced may earn an unsatisfactory rating. A dive only partly performed from the position announced may only earn up to 4 ½ points.
• A dive not performed in the straight, pike, tuck, or free position can be given a ½ to 2 point deduction.
• A dive may be given a zero if, at the discretion of the judge, the dive performed is of a *different number than the dive announced.

*Dive types are assigned corresponding numbers. There are six types of dives, and every dive number begins with one of six numbers in order to determine the type of dive performed (Dive Numbers and The Written Description; by Woody Franklin; www.about.com).

Starting Position

• A diver's starting position must be "free and unaffected" or it could result in a ½ to 2-point deduction.

Standing Dives

• The starting position of a standing dive is assumed when the diver is positioned at the front end of the board or platform.
• The diver's body must be straight, as well as the arms (any position), and the head erect.
• The diver bouncing on the springboard or platform before takeoff could result in a ½ to 2-point deduction.

Running Dives

• A running dive starting position occurs when the diver is ready to take the first step of the run.

Arm Stand Dives

• The starting position in an arm stand dive is when both hands are on the front end of the platform and both feet are off the platform.
• A diver who is not stationary and steady in a straight vertical position in an arm stand dive could receive a ½ to 2-point deduction.
• A restart is allowed if:
  1. The diver loses balance.
  2. One or both feet return to the platform.
  3. Another part of the body touches the platform other than the hands.

The Approach

• The running dive from the springboard or platform must be smooth, "aesthetically pleasing" and be in a forward direction with the last step being from one foot, or points may be deducted. If the final step is not from one foot, the referee may declare it a failed dive.

The Takeoff

• In forward or reverse dives, the takeoff may be performed in a running or standing position.
• Takeoffs for backward and inward dives must be performed standing.
• Takeoffs from springboard dives must be done from both feet at the same time.
• The forward and reverse takeoff from the platform may be done from one foot.
• In running and standing dives, the takeoff must be "bold, high and confident" and be done from the end of the springboard or platform.
• In twisting dives, the twist must not "be manifestly done from the springboard or platform".

The Flight

• Diver must not touch the springboard or platform, or dive off to the side, and the dive must be "aesthetically pleasing".
• The dive can be executed in the Straight, Pike, Tuck, or Free Positions.

The Entry

• Entry into the water must be vertical, with the body straight and feet together.
• In head-first entries, the arms must extend beyond the head in line with the body, with hands close together.
• In feet-first entries, the arms must be straight and close to the body.
• Twists may not be 90 degrees greater or lesser than the one announced.
• Dives are completed when the whole body is completely underwater.

General Diving Rules and Regulations

Judging Synchronized Diving

Besides taking into consideration the obvious - how synchronous the divers are - the rules for judging this category are very similar to how individual dives are judged, which are on the following elements:

• Execution.
• The overall impression of the dive.
• Judges must not be influenced by any factor other than the technique and execution of the dive.
• If either diver performs a dive other than the one announced, it may be considered a failed dive.
• If either diver performs a dive of a different number, the dive is given a "0".

Factors Judges Consider

• Starting position, approach, takeoff, similarity of height.
• Coordinated timing of the flight movements and of entry.
• Similarity of angles.
• Similarity of distance from the springboard or platform of the entry.

In Conclusion

Hopefully now you have some idea how dives are judged. So when you tune in the 2012 London Games this summer, you'll see why one fancy descent from a platform above is given an excellent rating, or why another earns a low score even though it may have appeared flawless to you! And who knows, with the help of a knowledgeable trainer and a great facility, you just might want to take your own diving skills to new heights.

The Diving Point System

Excellent	10 Points
Very Good	8 ½ to 9 ½ Points
Good	7 to 8 Points
Satisfactory	5 to 6 ½ Points
Deficient	2 ½ to 4 ½ Points
Unsatisfactory	½ to 2 Points
Completely Failed	0 Points