Introduction

Diving calls for both physical and technical ability. Divers perform a figure, or a series of figures, each of which has an assigned degree of difficulty. The athletes dive into the swimming pool trying to disturb the water as little as possible when they break the surface (rip entry). The routine and the order in which the divers perform their dives are recorded on a diving list.

Understanding Diving

Athletes dive from a platform called “highboard” or springboard. They try to perform their figures in the best way possible before reaching the surface of the water. The judging panel consists of seven judges. They give their score based on the degree of difficulty and ease displayed by the athletes while performing their programme.

Olympic diving consist of the following events:

Competition phases

At the Olympic Games and World Championships there are three competition phases: a preliminary, a semi-final and a final.

3m springboard events

In the 3m springboard events, athletes perform dives that are chosen among the five different dive groups: front, back, reverse, inward and twisting dives. The competition phases sequence for the 3m springboard events is as follows:

Preliminaries
The men's 3m preliminary competition consists of six dives without limitations in the degree of difficulty; there is one dive out of each group (front, back, reverse, inward and twisting dives) and an additional one from any group. The women's 3m preliminary competition consists of five dives out of each dive groups, without limitations in the degree of difficulty. The 18 best divers (for men or women) advance to the semi-final.

Semi-finals
In the semi-finals the divers compete in reverse order of their ranking determined by the total scores at the end of the preliminary competitions. The 3m semi-final competition for both men and women consists of five dives from different groups, the total degree of difficulty of which does not exceed 9.5. If there is a tie for 18th place in the preliminary competition or 12th place in the semi-final competition, all divers who have tied compete in the respective competition. The 12 best divers (for men or women) advance to the final.

Finals
The men's 3m final competition consists of six dives without limit of degree of difficulty; one dive is selected from each group (front, back, reverse, inward and twisting dives), plus an additional dive that may be selected from any group. The women's 3m final competition consists of five dives from different groups, without limit of degree of difficulty.

The points scored in the semi-final competition (dives with limited degree of difficulty) are added to the points scored in the final competition. The diver with the highest total points is declared winner.

10m platform events

In 10m platform events, the same procedure is followed for both men and women. The men's platform preliminary and final competition consists of six dives from different groups without limit of degree of difficulty. The women's platform preliminary and final competition consists of five dives from different groups without limit of degree of difficulty. In semi-finals, both men and women execute four dives from different groups; their total degree of difficulty must not exceed 7.6.

The athletes perform dives that are chosen by six different diving groups: front, back, reverse, inward, twisting and arm stands dives

At the Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cups, only dives from 10m platform are executed. In all other competitions, dives are executed from the 10m, 7.5m or 5m platforms.

Scoring

A dive consists of the following stages: 1) starting position - approach, 2) jump, 3) flight - execution, and 4) entry into the water. Depending on the type of competition, the judging panel consists of between five or seven judges and scores range from zero to ten.

During the Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cups, the judging panel consists of seven judges. When the seven judges give their scores, the highest and the lowest scores are cancelled. The five remaining scores are added up and the total is then multiplied by the difficulty factor for each dive and then by 0.6 in order to arrive at the final result. If two competitors get the same total score they are considered tied.

Synchronised Diving

Competition phases

The synchronised diving competition involves two competitors diving simultaneously from the springboards or platform. The competition is judged on how they perform their dive individually and how they synchronise their performance as a team. The competition comprises of five different rounds of dives: two rounds of dives with an assigned degree of difficulty of 2.0 each, and three rounds of dives without limit of degree of difficulty. In each round, the two dives must be executed in the same position and must have the same number of half somersaults. In a combination of twisting dives, the difference in the twist must not be more than one and a half twist.

Scoring

A panel of nine judges issues scores for synchronised diving: two mark the execution and two the technique of each diver and the remaining five mark the duet for coordination (synchronisation). The greater part of the score is awarded for the technical impression created by the performance of an aesthetically and visually satisfying execution.

Coaching

Coaching focuses on improving the flexibility and dexterity of movement and performing acrobatic exercises that combine good coordination and elegant motion. Developing and strengthening the muscles and staying in the best possible shape helps the athlete make the most of proper coaching. 'Dry training' is complemented by exercising on a springboard and on foam rubber mattresses and by performing special routines to tone up the muscles and improve explosiveness. When at the pool, the athlete in training executes dives from differing heights, changing the position of his or her body depending on the performed exercise. Then he or she follows a particular routine of dives combining rigid platform and springboard.