Dive Judging Basics
Scoring Range
NVSL follows FINA guidelines for scoring dives. Divers of all age groups and levels are scored on the same scale. Freshman divers are rated the same as Senior divers. There is no grading on a curve.
Excellent..........................................................10
Very Good.........................................................8.5 to 9.5
Good................................................................. 7 to 8
Satisfactory........................................................5 to 6.5
Deficient ...........................................................2.5 to 4.5
Unsatisfactory.................................................. 0.5 to 2
Failed ...............................................................0
Experienced divers are almost always satisfied with a score in the Satisfactory range of 5 to 6.5
Scoring
There are 5 judges for each dive. The high and the low scores are eliminated. The remaining scores are added together and multiplied by the dives degree of difficulty yielding the total score for each dive
Judge Criteria
- Starting Position – Controlled, balanced, professional posture.
- Approach – Smooth rhythm, no “crow hops” or stumbles, confident carriage.
- Takeoff – Height, power, and balance off the board or platform, with safe distance.
- Flight – Body alignment, tightness in tuck/pike/straight, twist control, pointed toes.
- Entry – Vertical line, tight body, and the holy grail of diving: little to no splash.
Failure in any one of these areas will automatically move the score into the deficient range yielding a maximum score of 4.5.
Take off and flight control the height and distance of the dive. As a general rule if a diver lands far away from the board it is a sign of a deficiency. A satisfactory dive will go up and down with diver close to the end of the board.
