The NCHSAA would like to express their gratitude to the 1A/2A divers and the 4A boys for being a part of this training video. It is not the intent of the NCHSAA to be “picking on” or criticizing any diver. We are just trying to show judges the differences that should be used in their final score.
After reviewing this powerpoint, judges should be able to feel more confident in arriving at a fair score for high school divers. The camera views are not from the angle that a judge would view the dive, but they give a good overview of the dives. To take the test, scroll to the bottom of the page.
STARTING POSITION FORWARD GROUPS:
Head erect, arms in any position of the diver’s choice. Must show a starting position or it is a failed dive.
STARTING POSITION BACK AND INWARD GROUPS
Diver is not judged until they assume the starting position. Head erect arms in any position of the diver’s choice.
JUDGING NOTE
Although the entry is usually given the most scoring emphasis, the starting position sets the tone for the fluid flow of the dive. Excessive oscillation of the board (more than 4) may cause the judge to deduct ½ to 2 points off their total.
APPROACH FORWARD GROUP
The approach should be at least 3 steps with the diver showing confidence and relaxed movement. Stomping their way to the end of the board does not make the judges happy. The diver may use hops skips and jumps as their 3 steps but must end in a culminating hurdle and 2 footed plant.
HURDLE
The hurdle is required is ONE footed take-off with the knee lifted to a 90-degree angle to the board, followed by a 2-footed plant on the end of the diving board. The proper drop and press of the diver will create the mechanical energy used to propel the diver up and away from the board; too much speed or lean in the hurdle will affect the diver’s height and flight.
JUDGING NOTE
The high school rule book has put emphasis on the hurdle and since it is the last part of the approach, it should factor into your total score. A diver that does not get the height in his hurdle should not score as high as a diver that uses the board. Yes, you can take into your judgment that a tiny diver MAY NOT get the height of a larger diver but look at the height that several of the divers get, they should be rewarded for their ability.
TAKEOFF
The takeoff for the forward and reverse groups should show good control of the board and give the diver significant height to complete the dive well above the water. The takeoff for the inward and back groups should allow the diver a safe distance from the board and still enough height to complete the dive above the water. The diver’s feet should not leave the board prior to takeoff (CROW HOP) ½-2 point deduction; double bounce failed dive.
FLIGHT
The body position of the diver is a critical part of the dive. Tucks that are open are still tucks but may show a lack of control if the diver does not finish the rotation above the water. Pikes may be similar to tucks as to how deep the diver goes into the pike, the control by the diver is a major scoring point. You will see one diver doing a back dive STRAIGHT that he has to break his position to try to get the dive in.
ENTRY
Too often diving judges score the dive on the entry alone but this is a PART of the whole dive and should be added or subtracted from the score that you were thinking after watching the diver’s board work and flight. A diver that gets little height off the board and makes a little splash should not receive a higher score than a diver that uses the board and gets more height but may have “little” more splash on entry. The entry should be made a safe distance from the board 2-4 feet and the diver should finish in front of the board and not to either side; the video has a better angle for that than most judges.
SCORING
0 = failed dive. You can show 0 even if the diving judge doesn’t declare the dive as failed.
½-2 = unsatisfactory (tuck instead of pike; not coming out of twist)
2 ½- 4 ½ = deficient (partial break in position; hands up; way short)
5- 6 ½ = satisfactory (over or short) (board work is good)
7-8 = good (all aspects met, entry slightly affected)
8 ½- 9 ½ = very good (execution clearly defined)
10 = excellent (first time they MAKE DIVE) ALL aspects are controlled.
All scores should be reflections of what you think the dive should be scored, there are no RIGHT or WRONG scores. Don’t change your score if you are going to give a dive a 5 and you hear or see the first judge holding up a 3 ½. You may be seeing something they missed or misinterpreted. There are no extra doughnuts in the hospitality room for the number of “bingos” that you make.
If you scored 70% or better, please allow 2-3 business days for your score to be entered in DragonFly. If you did not register in DragonFly before taking the exam, please email Melissa Knight at melissa@nchsaa.org once you have registered.
