Many swimming and diving officials come from the same background. Specifically, in Ohio, many of these individuals come from a swimming background, not diving. While certified as an official for both events, many officials shy away from the diving events. The intent of this article is to provide support for those officials not as confident in judging diving, along with easy referral or handout sheets that can remind officials of the individual components of a dive and words/verbiage to connect with a numerical score.
In many of Ohio's certification/recertification meetings, diving is allowed one meeting time. Rule 9 of the 2013-14 NFHS Swimming and Diving and Water Polo Rules Book is the basis of this article.
As a presenter of diving information, it is hard to describe and explain the five specific parts of the dive. As a parent, coach or novice judge, the value of the dive is based on what it looked like in the air and if there was splash on the entry. Creating a better understanding of each individual part of the dive can contribute to a better or more valid score. As described in Appendix C in the Rule Book (p83), the five major parts of a dive are; the Approach, Hurdle, Take Off, Flight and Entry. (As stated in Appendix C the Starting Position could be a separate category but will not be addressed in this article.) Thinking in its individual segments can contribute to a better understanding of the dive.
To define what a smooth, fluid, forward approach is – which now includes explaining hops, skips, jumps or delays in this first part of the dive – can be frustrating. To help the novice or veteran official comprehend and appreciate the approach rule could take an hour by itself. To then explain how at the point of take-off, body angle not only effects the height of the dive, but also the rotational action, due to the board propelling them in a direction, again might take an hour to explain the forces and angles involved. (9.5.2&4)
The flight is everything in the air. Did the diver complete the double somersault? Was that a half twist or not? (9.5.6) And finally the entry with the splash. (9.5.8) As a presenter in southwest Ohio, I have used a video "Scores Please: Judging Diving" (Kibby Raynor Productions) to help explain the critical eye of a judge. While a little outdated, this video does an excellent job of presenting each part of the dive. I also incorporate a DVD produced by Ohio High School Diving Training Video of the most recent State meet. (R. Zajac) Being able to use slow motion and stop action, affords both the novice and veteran to get a better understanding of each part and the different techniques divers may use. Following three years of "in the pool" demonstrations, officials have stated the videos are much better with slow motion and stop action.
Once the announcer says, "Scores Please," you begin to second or third guess your score. What did I really see; his legs were crossed but the entry was nearly perfect. What's my score? Rule 9, Section7, Article 2 presents descriptive words that can correlate to point ranges. On a daily basis, we can look at an object and make objective statements: the report my colleague gave me was satisfactory or that meal was excellent. While we might say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, for diving, there are some parameters as to what beauty might contain.
Rule 9 of Rules Book is the basis for all direct judging rules but an often forgotten section is Appendix C, Guidelines for Judging Diving. (p83) This section gives a more in-depth description of "The Parts of the Dive” and additional description of the word categories of the point ranges.
Appendix C, Section A-2-b tries to better define the forward approach. "These steps should be natural walking steps with no stiff, jerky, awkward or exaggerated arm or leg movements." (p83) So is this statement in conflict with Section 5 Article 2. Not really. In the judge's opinion, if a fluid forward motion (which can now include hesitations) is not negated, then there is no violation of the forward approach.
This author will combine App C, Sec A-2-c & d, hurdle and take-off into one complete action. It is understood that the hurdle should take the dive to the end of the board in a vertical upright position. Being short of the end of the board will reduce the power the board could offer to the diver. This then extends into the take-off phase. If the diver is at the end of the board in an upright position, the board can give him or her the greatest impetus upward allowing for more time in the air or the flight phase. But if the diver is leaning either forward or backward when his or her feet land on the board following the hurdle, problems begin. Of course, leaning forward will drive the dive far from the end of the board, reducing the height and flight time along with control of any somersault or twist. Leaning back - well let's just say, "I hope they don't hit the board!" Divers often try to counteract this backward lean with the exaggerated forward hip action which now reduces the potential height of the dive.
The flight phase (Sec A-2-e) is the dive. The announcer says, "The next diver will be doing a 203B, that is a Back one-and-one-half somersault in the pike position." Your mind immediately goes to that 9.5 Olympic dive you saw on TV; near perfect height, barely able to slide a piece of paper between the knees and nose, toe point that looked like a dart and then the splashless entry. Well, that is probably not what you are going to see. Good height, fairly tight pike and a decent entry - that is worth anywhere from a 6 to 8.5. Was the dive on the better end of "good"? Then it is worth a 7. If it is exceeds your expectation, do not be afraid to give that first 8 of the meet; the diver deserves it!
It is now entry time. While you may "wow" a splashless entry, remember it is only 1/5 of the overall dive score. We may look for the splashless entry but if you close your eyes, you will begin to recognize specific sounds. You may hear a pop or sucking sound as the good diver creates a hole in the water with their hands. This action can literally create a vacuum pulling the water back onto the diver as their body submerges. Begin to let you ears be part of your judging process. Since we have five senses, why not use more than just our vision?
Another aspect of both diving and judging is personal presentation. We know the NFHS expects us as officials to be professional in our dress, demeanor and presentations as we represent the NFHS as officials, why do we not expect the same from our divers? Are the board shorts boys wear, really appropriate for high school competition? Often the shorts extended beyond the knee and therefore are an official call. When observed, why not suggest the next time the diver comes to a competition, he or she wear a more acceptable suit. Remember, the suit rule goes into effect at the beginning of warm-ups.
Judging dives as the novice judge can be intimidating. It is hoped this article may dispel some of the nerves. As in all things, exposure and practice will be the best tool to reduce inner fears. Remember there are three judges, each with individual experiences and specific likes and dislikes. It is OK to be the high or low judge if you can validate your score based on the five parts of a dive. And if you are lucky enough to be working a meet with five or seven judges, it is the middle three scores that count. Enjoy the esthetics of diving and enjoy the competition. Remember, the diver is doing his or her best and should be rewarded for the effort.
References
KibbyRaynor Productions. 2001. Scores Please: Judging Diving
National Federation of State High School Associations. 2013-143,Swimming and Diving and Water Polo Rules Book
Zajac, R. 2012. Ohio High School Diving Training Video. Rob Zajac Productions, Port Clinton, OH. [email protected]
