World Aquatics / FINA Diving Rules

Judging Panels

Diving competitions may use different judging panels, commonly including three, five, or seven execution judges.

With 3 judges, all three scores are added together and multiplied by the Degree of Difficulty.

With 5 judges, the highest and lowest scores are removed. The remaining three scores are added together and multiplied by the Degree o

Diving competitions may use different judging panels, commonly including three, five, or seven execution judges.

With 3 judges, all three scores are added together and multiplied by the Degree of Difficulty.

With 5 judges, the highest and lowest scores are removed. The remaining three scores are added together and multiplied by the Degree of Difficulty.

With 7 judges, the two highest and two lowest scores are removed. The remaining three scores are added together and multiplied by the Degree of Difficulty.

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Scoring Standards

Judges score each dive based on the overall quality of execution.

They evaluate the approach, takeoff, height, body position, control in the air, rotation, twisting, distance from the board or platform, and water entry.

A high-scoring dive should show power, control, clean lines, correct body position, and a vertical entry with minimal splash.

Degree of Difficulty

Each dive has a Degree of Difficulty, also called DD.

The DD reflects the technical difficulty of the dive, including direction, body position, number of somersaults, number of twists, and entry type.

The final score depends on both execution and difficulty. A more difficult dive can earn a higher score only when it is performed with strong technique and control.

Diving Rules & Scoring

DD Calculation

How Degree of Difficulty Is Calculated

The Degree of Difficulty, or DD, represents the technical difficulty of a dive.

Under World Aquatics / FINA rules, DD is calculated by adding five components:

A = Somersaults

B = Flight Position

C = Twists

D = Approach

E = Entry

These components are combined to determine the dive’s total difficulty value. The execution score is then multiplied by the DD to calculate the final score.

Execution Scores

Judges score each dive from 0 to 10 based on the overall impression of the performance.

Scoring levels:

10 = Excellent / Perfect

8.5–9.5 = Very Good

7.0–8.0 = Good

5.0–6.5 = Satisfactory

2.5–4.5 = Deficient

0.5–2.0 = Unsatisfactory

0 = Completely Failed

Judges evaluate the starting position and approach, takeoff, flight position, body control, and water entry.

Dive Groups & Dive Numbers

In diving, each dive is identified by a dive number. Dive numbers usually contain three or four digits, followed by a letter that shows the body position.

The first digit identifies the dive group:

1 = Forward 2 = Back 3 = Reverse 4 = Inward 5 = Twisting 6 = Armstand

For three-digit dives, the last digit shows the number of half-somersaults. For example, 1 means a half somersault, 2 means one somersault, and 3 means one and a half somersaults. Each additional number adds another half somersault.

The second digit is usually 0 unless the dive includes a flying action. A 0 means no flying action. A 1 means the dive includes a flying half-somersault.

For example, 207C means Back 3½ Somersaults in the Tuck position. The first digit, 2, means the dive is from the back group. The second digit, 0, means there is no flying action. The third digit, 7, means three and a half somersaults. The letter C means tuck position.

For twisting dives, four digits are used. For example, in 5122D, 5 means it is a twisting dive, 1 means the dive begins from the forward group, 2 means one somersault, and the final 2 means one full twist. The letter D means free position.

Body position letters include:

A = Straight B = Pike C = Tuck D = Free

World Aquatics / FINA Diving Rules

Judging Panels

Scoring Standards

Degree of Difficulty

Degree of Difficulty

Diving Rules & Scoring

DD Calculation

Execution Scores

Dive Groups & Dive Numbers

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