Rachel Anzano
Tech and Assess
Due: December 8, 2014
Rating the Performance of a Front Dive
1. This rating scale is designed to measure an athletes’ ability to complete a front dive off of
a diving board.
2. Although this rating scale can be used for any level of athletes participating in the sport
of diving it will have a primary focus on entry-level athletes. The Front dive is the
simplest dive performed in this sport, therefore it will be used most often for beginners.
Both males and females can partake in this sport, and they can get involved with it as
early as the age of five years old. This scale can be used during competitive diving meets
to judge an athletes’ capabilities to perform a dive. Additionally, this scale can be used in
a non-competitive manner and can provide athletes with direct feedback during practice.
3. The sport of diving revolves around a rating scale. Without it, there would be no way to
judge and compare individuals against each other and to determine a winner for the meet.
Each individual will be judged upon the same criteria. After, all numbers will be added
up, and whichever athlete has the highest score is the person who performed the dive the
best. Using a rating scale also provides the athlete with feedback as to where their
strengths and weaknesses are and what techniques they need to pay extra attention to
during practice.
4. There are five main components to accurately performing a front dive. The approach,
takeoff, elevation, execution and entry. The approach is also commonly called a hurdle.
A hurdle is made up of usually three to four steps prior to the initial take off of the dive.
The hurdle is to be executed at a smooth, walking pace. The takeoff is commonly
referred to as the drive step. This is the part of the hurdle when one leg (most often
dominant leg) lifts 90° into the air and the other leg remains straight. It is at this point
that the athlete is able to gain momentum, power and height to actually perform the dive.
It is important that the power leg is at 90° to ensure proper takeoff to actually perform the
dive correctly and at an appropriate distance from the diving board.
The elevation of the dive refers to the height and distance away from the diving board
that the dive is performed. The best dives are those that are performed at an exceptional
height to ensure smoothness, completion and overall balance. Additionally, the closer to
the board that the dive is performed, the better. The execution refers to the athletes’
ability to perform the dive itself. This refers to its technique and form. Lastly, the entry
is the very last part to completing a dive. The entry should be completely vertical with
little to no splash. The entry is extremely important because it is the last thing the
judge(s) see and can be one of the most impressionable aspects to the dive.
5. This scale uses a quantitative scoring method ranging from 1 to 10. A score with a range
from 8-10 means very good or excellent, a score within the range of 4-7 is satisfactory,
and 0-3 is unsatisfactory or deficient. It is up to each judge to provide an interpretation of
the qualitative aspect for each category.
6. The test administer needs to have access to a pool with appropriate springboards.
Additionally, they should have a background in the proper techniques of performing a
front dive. It is best to have a test administer who has prior experience to competitive
diving. The test itself does not take long, it will vary depending on the number of
subjects performing in the test. The test merely requires individuals to perform at least
one front dive to be judged.
7. After each category has been scored and tallied, the score will be added up and divided
by 5. The same quantitative scoring categories as described in question five will be used
to evaluate the overall quality of the dive. This score can then be used to rank all other
athletes. Each individual category within the scoring rubric can be further broken down
and be used by the athlete to enhance performance. They can use the feedback given by
the judge to use for areas of improvements during practice.
Performing a Standard Front Dive off of a Spring-diving Board
Approach: Demonstrates the
Approach: Demonstrates only Approach: Does not use any
effective use of 3 or 4 steps in 1 to 2 steps in a hurdle before hurdle before take-off.
a hurdle before take-off.
take-off.
10 9 8
Takeoff: the power leg is
fully extended 90° while the
other leg remains straight at
the end of the diving board.
7 6
5 4
Takeoff: the power leg is less
than 90° but the other leg
remains straight.
3 2 1 0
Takeoff: there is no
differentiation between power
and non-power leg. i.e. both
legs remain straight.
10 9 8
Elevation: the front dive is
completed way above the
board, located no more than
half a foot away from the
diving board.
7 6
5 4
Elevation: the front dive is
completed at or above board
level and is completed at or
farther than half a foot away
from the diving board.
3 2 1 0
Elevation: the front dive is
completed below board level
and is completed farther than
half a foot away from the
board.
10 9 8
Execution: the front dive is
performed in the appropriate
position (straight, tuck or pike
as indicated) and stays facing
forward.
7 6 5 4
Execution: the front dive is
completed in the appropriate
position (as indicated) with
only slight break or deviation.
3 2 1 0
Execution: the front dive is
not completed in the correct
position and has deviations.
10 9 8
Entry: the dive is completed
and entered the water with
little to no splash.
7 6 5 4
Entry: the dive is completed
but there is a very big splash.
3 2 1 0
Entry: the dive is either no
completed before entry and
there is a very big splash.
10
7
3
9
8
6
5
4
2
1
0
References
1. USA diving. Diving 101. Retrieved December 1, 2014 from
http://www.usadiving.org/about/diving-101/.