For parents
Parent's guide to dive sheets.
How diving is scored, in plain English. Decode the numbers, the codes, and the judges' awards on your high-school diver's scorecard.
01 · Basics
Decode the scorecard.
Your diver's scorecard packs a lot in. Here's how to read it.
Sample scoresheet
Meet
- Event
- Regional Championships
- Date
- March 15, 2025
- Location
- City Aquatic Center
Diver
- Name
- Sarah Johnson
- School
- Central High
- Coach
- Mike Thompson
- Grade
- 11th
| # | Dive | Description | Pos | DD | J1 | J2 | J3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 103C | Forward 1½ Somersault | C | 1.6 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 33.6 |
| 2 | 201B | Back Dive | B | 1.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 27.0 |
#
Dive numbers
The code that describes exactly what dive your child is performing.
- 103C
- Forward 1½ Somersault, Tuck
- 201B
- Back Dive, Pike
- 301A
- Reverse Dive, Straight
DD
Degree of difficulty
How challenging the dive is. Higher DD means more points possible.
- 1.2–1.8
- Basic dives
- 1.9–2.5
- Intermediate
- 2.6+
- Advanced
J
Judge scores
Each judge rates the dive 0–10. Highest and lowest are dropped.
- 8.5–10
- Excellent
- 6.5–8.0
- Good
- 5.0–6.0
- Satisfactory
- 0–4.5
- Needs work
02 · Dive codes
Reading the secret code.
Every dive has a code like 103C or 301A. Here's how to read them.
First digit
1
Direction group
- 1 · Forward
- 2 · Back
- 3 · Reverse
- 4 · Inward
- 5 · Twisting
Middle digits
03
Somersaults
- 01 · ½ somersault
- 02 · 1 somersault
- 03 · 1½ somersaults
- 04 · 2 somersaults
Position letter
C
Body position
- A · Straight
- B · Pike
- C · Tuck
- D · Free
Result
103C
Means
- Forward (1)
- 1½ Somersault (03)
- In Tuck position (C)
Common beginner dives
- 101C
- Forward Dive, Tuck
- 201C
- Back Dive, Tuck
- 301C
- Reverse Dive, Tuck
- 401C
- Inward Dive, Tuck
Advanced dives
- 107C
- Forward 3½ Somersault, Tuck
- 205B
- Back 2½ Somersault, Pike
- 5132D
- Forward 1½ Som, 1 Twist
- 305C
- Reverse 2½ Somersault, Tuck
03 · Scoring
How diving is scored.
The math behind your diver's scores. Once you see it, every result starts to make sense.
The formula
(J1 + J2 + J3) × DD = final score
In meets with 5 judges, the highest and lowest scores are dropped. The middle three are added, then multiplied by the dive's degree of difficulty.
Step-by-step example
Diver performs 103C (Forward 1½ Somersault, Tuck), DD 1.6.
6.0
J1
lowest
7.0
J2
7.5
J3
6.5
J4
8.0
J5
highest
What judges look at
- Approach & takeoff · 20%
- How they walk out and leave the board.
- Flight & form · 40%
- Body position, control, and technique in the air.
- Entry · 40%
- How cleanly they enter the water.
Score ranges
- 8.5–10
- Excellent · Near-perfect dive
- 7.0–8.0
- Very good · Minor flaws
- 5.5–6.5
- Satisfactory · Acceptable
- 3.5–5.0
- Deficient · Noticeable issues
- 0–3.0
- Unsatisfactory · Major problems
04 · Formats
6-dive vs 11-dive.
High-school diving uses one of two competition formats. Here's the difference.
6-dive format
The most common format for regular-season meets.
Requirements
- One dive from each of the 5 groups
- One additional dive from any group
- Total of 6 dives
Why this format
- Shorter meets, less stressful for new divers
- Ensures variety
- Good for learning all basic dive types
11-dive format
Used in higher-level competitions and championships.
Requirements
- 5 voluntary dives (one from each group)
- 6 optional dives (any groups)
- More challenging DD requirements
Why this format
- Allows for more specialty dives
- Higher scoring potential
- Tests endurance and consistency
- Used in state championships
05 · Q&A
Common parent questions.
Things parents ask us all the time. Each link jumps straight to the full answer in the FAQ.