01 · Codes
Dive number & code.
Each dive is represented by a 3- or 4-digit code, sometimes followed by a letter. The code tells you the type, direction, and position of the dive.
Example
103C
- 1
- Forward — direction group
- 03
- 1½ somersaults
- C
- Tuck — body position
02 · Groups
Dive groups.
Dives are categorized by direction and takeoff position.
- Forward
- Diver faces forward and rotates forward.
- Back
- Diver stands backward and rotates backward.
- Reverse
- Faces forward but rotates backward (also called "gainers").
- Inward
- Stands backward but rotates forward toward the board.
- Twist
- Any dive that includes a twist during flight.
- Armstand
- Handstand start (typically platform diving).
03 · Positions
Dive positions.
- Straight
- No bend at the waist or knees. Hardest position.
- Pike
- Legs straight, bend at the waist.
- Tuck
- Bent knees, drawn tightly to the chest. Easiest.
- Free
- Used for twisting dives; allows any position.
04 · Scoring
How scoring works.
Degree of difficulty (DD)
Every dive has a Degree of Difficulty rating, based on the somersaults, twists, and starting position. This number is multiplied by the judge scores to get the final score.
Judges' scores
Judges rate each dive 0–10 in half-point increments. For most events, 5–7 judges are used; the highest and lowest are dropped, and the rest are added.
- Perfect
- 10
- Very good
- 7.5–8.5
- Satisfactory
- 5.0
- Flawed
- < 5
Formula
Example: judges score [6.5, 7.0, 6.0, 7.5, 6.5]. Drop highest (7.5) and lowest (6.0):
- 1. Add: 6.5 + 7.0 + 6.5 = 20.0
- 2. Multiply by DD 1.8: 20.0 × 1.8 = 36.0
05 · Equipment
Equipment & technique.
Equipment & facility
- Springboard
- 1-meter and 3-meter flexible diving boards that bend with the diver's weight.
- Platform
- Fixed diving platforms at various heights (5m, 7.5m, 10m).
- Fulcrum
- Adjustable pivot point on springboards that affects flexibility and bounce.
- Rip entry
- A perfect entry with minimal splash, creating a "ripping" sound through the water.
Technical terms
- Hurdle
- The approach step sequence before takeoff on springboard diving.
- Save
- When a diver recovers from a poor entry position to minimize splash.
- Lineup
- Proper body alignment and extension during the flight phase.
- Over- / under-rotation
- Completing too much or too little rotation in a dive.
- Spot
- A visual reference point divers use during rotation to maintain orientation.
Judging terms
- Entry angle
- The angle at which a diver enters the water (vertical is ideal).
- Splash
- Water disturbance on entry — less splash indicates better technique.
- Rip
- Minimal-splash entry that creates a clean "ripping" sound.
06 · Competition
Competition terms.
Meet structure
- Preliminary / finals
- Format with qualifying rounds followed by championship finals.
- Cut
- The minimum score needed to advance to finals competition.
- Scratch
- Withdrawing from competition or a specific event.
- No dive (ND)
- When a diver doesn't attempt their dive — zero points.
11-dive competition
- Voluntary (V)
- Required dives with DD limits: first 5 dives (max 9.0 total DD), one from each group.
- Optional (O)
- Choice dives: remaining 6 dives with at least one from each of the 5 groups.
- V/O distribution
- 11-dive pattern: dives 1–5 (2V+3O), 6–8 (2V+1O), 9–11 (1V+2O).
- Group requirement
- All 5 dive groups must be represented in the first 8 dives.
Penalties & safety
- Banned dives
- Removed from competition for safety: 104A, 304A, 402A.
- Balk
- A diver begins but aborts a takeoff. First balk: 2-point deduction per judge. Second balk: failed dive.
- Failed dive (DQ)
- Wrong dive performed, loss of position or control mid-air, lands on back or belly, or no takeoff attempted.
- Dive sheet
- The list of dives a diver will perform. Includes dive numbers, positions, DD values, and order.
Got a question we missed?
Check the help center, or jump straight into a scoresheet.