TYPES OF DIVES
    There are five groups of dives.  The first four involve rotation in directions relative to the board and starting position.  The fifth includes any dive with a twist.
FORWARD GROUP
    The diver faces the front of the board and rotates toward the water.  Dives in this group vary from the simple front dive to the difficult forward three and one half somersault.
BACKWARD GROUP
    All dives in the backward group begin with the diver on the end of the board with their back to the water.  The direction of rotation is away from the board.
REVERSE GROUP
    Formerly called "gainers," these dives begin with the diver facing the front of the board, using a forward approach, and rotating toward the board.
INWARD GROUP
    The diver stands on the end of the board with their back to the water and rotates toward the board.
TWISTING GROUP
    Any dive with a twist is included in this group.  There are five types of twisting dives: Forward, Backward, Reverse, and Inward.  Because of the many possible combinations, this group includes more dives than any other.

BODY POSITIONS
    When each type of dive is performed, the diver utilizes one or more of the four different types of body positions:
STRAIGHT
    This position requires no bend at the waist or knees.  Depending on the dive, however, there may be an arch in the back.  Arm placement is either the diver's choice or is defined by the dive performed.
TUCK
    Body is bent at the waist and knees, with thighs drawn to the chest and heels kept close to the buttocks.
PIKE
    The legs are straight with the body bent at the waist.  Like the straight position, arm placement is dictated by the particular dive or by the choice of the diver.
FREE
    This is not an actual body position, but a diver's option to use any of the above three positions, or combinations thereof, when performing a twisting dive.  A combination of straight and pike is common, while tuck is rarely used.

JUDGING
    As you watch more diving, especially by talented performers, you will observe that although several divers may do the same dive, it never looks quite the same.  This is because each individual has unique mannerisms, characteristics of movement, strengths and timing>>> all adding up to an abstract but observable phenomenon called "style."
    Style is difficult to assess by any standard, except whether or not you like it.  This is why judging is difficult.  Even though there are criteria of execution all divers must meet, evaluation remains a subjective process.  No matter how well a dive is performed, artistic likes and dislikes of the judges play a large part in the outcome of any contest, and for this reason there are usually differences of opinion among coaches, competitors, judges and spectators about the accuracy of results.  A dive is scored between zero and 10 points by each judge.

JUDGING CATEGORIES
    In classifying a dive into one of the judging categories, certain parts of each dive must be analyzed and evaluated, and an overall award obtained.  The parts of a dive are:
APPROACH
    Should be smooth but forceful, showing good form.
TAKEOFF
    Must show control and balance, plus the proper angle of landing and leaving for the particular dive being attempted.
ELEVATION
    The amount of spring or lift a diver receives from the takeoff greatly affects the appearance of the dive.  Since more height means more time, a higher dive generally affords greater accuracy and smoothness of movement.
EXECUTION
    This is most important, for this is the dive.  A judge watches for proper mechanical performance, technique, form and grace.
ENTRY
    The entry into the water is very significant because it is the last thing the judge sees and the part probably remembered the best.  The two criteria to be evaluated are the angle of entry, which should be near vertical, and the amount of splash, which should be as little as possible.

SCORING
    Three, five, or seven judges are used in individual competition.  When the judges awards are given, the high an low scores are eliminated and the remaining scores are totaled.  The number will be multiplied by the degree of difficulty rating assigned to the dive.  The DD is predetermined with a table range from 1.2 to 3.7 in one tenth increments.