Diving is a sport that requires a lot of skill and strength. In addition to the skills involved, divers must also have the courage and flexibility to complete a variety of different dives. They are judged on three aspects of the dive: the amount of splash, the twists, and the movements used. However, many competitors have misconceptions about diving, and are unaware of how their scores are calculated. While absolute scores are often used for qualifying in higher level meets, they have little meaning for an individual diver. During more serious meets, relative scores are a better indicator of a diver’s performance.
Almost all governing bodies for diving have adopted a similar system of regulations. The FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation) governs all aspects of competitive diving, and has also shaped the rules for synchronised diving. Synchronised diving is a discipline where a pair of divers performs multiple somersaults in a short period of time. A synchronized diving panel of three or five judges is used to judge each divers’ performance. The score for a synchronized dive is calculated the same way as other diving events. Generally, the scores are computed by multiplying the middle scores by a coefficient known as the DD.
There Adam McManus Toronto are three types of dives, each of which is characterized by its own type of twist. These types include the free dive, pike dive, arm-stand dive, reverse dive, and the tuck dive. Each dive is listed with a number indicating the degree of difficulty, or DD. For example, a 5155D is a twisting dive that includes two twists, as well as one-half somersault.
To perform a dive, a diver begins in a handstand position, with feet together. He/she then springs back and rotates backward toward the board or platform. Some divers roll in the same direction, while others choose to scoop in the same direction as they rotate.
Usually, there are eleven dives. Each diving competition has two categories of dives. Competitive divers are grouped by gender and age. Typically, a diver’s list is comprised of a mixture of dives, ranging from basic front and back dives to four and a half somersaults. Most competitive divers attempt to score as high as possible on their DD dives. Performing the highest DD dives is considered to be the best performance. If a diver is unable to execute a certain dive, he/she will receive a zero score. This is usually given to a very young diver learning to compete.
Unlike swimming, diving is performed on a firm platform rather than elastic. Often, diving is performed on a 10-meter platform, which has been regulated by the FINA. Divers can also perform on smaller platforms such as a five-meter or seven-and-a-half-meter tower. Alternatively, they can perform on a three-meter platform, which is only used for Olympic-level competitions. Depending on the competition, a scuba diver will typically perform one of three types of dives: forward, reverse, or twisting.
A diver is required to perform at least three dives before qualifying for the final round. Once they have qualified, they are able to add their own choice of optional dives. Traditionally, this would have been based on the published tariff table. But this was altered in the mid-1990s. New divers were inventing new dives, and the tariff was not designed for newer, more complex variations.