This site provided by:
Spectator's Guide to Diving Terms
Mon, May 21, 2007 1:49 pm
Spectator's Guide to NVSL Diving
Springboard
An adjustable diving board that regulates springiness. Either 1-meter (3 3 ) or 3-meters (9 9") above the water. Projects at least five feet beyond the edge of the pool.
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.
Forward Dive (100 Group)
Takeoff from a standing or running approach, facing the water. Direction of rotation is away from the board.
Back Dive (200 Group)
Takeoff from the end of the board with back toward water. Direction of rotation is away from the board.
Reverse Dive (300 Group)
Takeoff from a standing or running approach, facing the water. Direction of rotation is toward the board.
Inward Dive (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.
Twisting Dive (5000 Group)
Any dive with a twist. There are four types of twisting dives: forward, back, reverse and inward.
Fall-in Dives (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.
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.
Straight Position
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 Position
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 Position
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 Position
A combination of straight, pike or tuck positions. To be used in twisting dives only as listed in the DD tables.
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.
Degree of Difficulty
Rating ranging from 1.2 to 3.7 for executing a specific dive according to how hard it is to perform. The DD is multiplierfactor used with judges scores in figuring the score for a dive.
Judge
Diving official who scores each dive on a scale of 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest) in graduations of one-half. Usually five judges officiate at dual and tri meets. Usually seven judges officiate during divisional, three-meter, and All-Stars meets.
Referee
Manages the competition and insures that all regulations are observed. Can also be a judge.
Decoding the Dive or How do I know what the diver is going to do?
Dives are described by their full name (e.g. reverse 3 1/2 somersault with 1/2 twist) or by their numerical identification (e.g. 5371D), or dive number.
Most dives use three digits and a letter. Twisting dives utilize four numerical digits beginning with the number 5 followed by three digits and a letter.
The position of the numbers within the dive number will tell you the direction of the dive, the number of rotations (if somersault or twists measured in half rotations, e.g. 2 is one full rotation) and the letter indicates the position. (see the section on positions.) Dive numbers are created using these guidelines.
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 twists (Example: 3 = 1 1/2 twists) .
Examples
Forward 1 e.g. 102 pike: Forward (1) one somersault (02) pike position
Back 2 e.g. 201 tuck Back (2) dive (01) tuck (C)
Reverse 3 e.g. 302C Reverse (3) one somersault (02) tuck position
Inward 4 e.g. 401C Inward (4) dive (01) tuck position
Twist 5 5231 free e.g. Twist dives always begin with a 5, Back (2)1 1/2 somersaults (3), 1/2 twists (1), free position. This would be announced as a Back, 1 somersaults twist free position.