Glossary of Diving Terms
A glossary of springboard and platform diving terms.
Armstand Dive
The armstand dives in platform diving.
The armstand dives in platform diving.
Backward Takeoff
Definition of the backward press and takeoff in competitive springboard and platform diving.
Definition of the backward press and takeoff in competitive springboard and platform diving.
Balk
Definition of a balk in sprinboard and platform diving.
Definition of a balk in sprinboard and platform diving.
Crow Hop
Definition of a crow hop in diving.
Definition of a crow hop in diving.
Degree of Difficulty
Definition of the degree of difficulty in the sport of springboard and platform diving
Definition of the degree of difficulty in the sport of springboard and platform diving
Entry
Definition of the entry into the water in the sport of diving.
Definition of the entry into the water in the sport of diving.
FINA
FINA is the international governing body for aquatic sports that includes competitive springboard and platform diving.
FINA is the international governing body for aquatic sports that includes competitive springboard and platform diving.
Forward Approach
The forward approach in springboard and platform diving.
The forward approach in springboard and platform diving.
Free Position
Used exclusively in twisting dives, the free position is a combination of straight, pike, or tuck.
Used exclusively in twisting dives, the free position is a combination of straight, pike, or tuck.
Fulcrum
The fulcrum is a moveable wheel that sits underneath the mid-point of a diving board, allowing a diver to adjust the amount of spring they receive.
The fulcrum is a moveable wheel that sits underneath the mid-point of a diving board, allowing a diver to adjust the amount of spring they receive.
Hurdle
The hurdle is the last movement of a diver prior to the takeoff from the diving board.
The hurdle is the last movement of a diver prior to the takeoff from the diving board.
Line Up
A line up is a particular diving skill that is practiced in order to improve body alignment and entry into the water.
A line up is a particular diving skill that is practiced in order to improve body alignment and entry into the water.
National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations (NFHS)
The National Federation of State High School Associations oversees and sets rules for high school competition in diving.
The National Federation of State High School Associations oversees and sets rules for high school competition in diving.
Pike Position
The pike position is performed with the knees straight and the body bent at the waist.
The pike position is performed with the knees straight and the body bent at the waist.
Riding the Board
In a forward approach in diving, a goal of every diver is to work in concert with the diving board to get the most amount of height - known as "riding the board."
In a forward approach in diving, a goal of every diver is to work in concert with the diving board to get the most amount of height - known as "riding the board."
Rip Entry
The entry into the water during a dive, with little or no splash.
The entry into the water during a dive, with little or no splash.
Somersault
A somersault is a movement in which a diver rotates the body on an imaginary horizontal axis the runs through the hips.
A somersault is a movement in which a diver rotates the body on an imaginary horizontal axis the runs through the hips.
Spotting
Spotting is the act of assisting an athlete while connected to an overhead safety harness.
Spotting is the act of assisting an athlete while connected to an overhead safety harness.
Springboard
A springboard is a 16-foot aluminum diving board that is used in diving competitions from two different heights above the water: one-meter or three-meter.
A springboard is a 16-foot aluminum diving board that is used in diving competitions from two different heights above the water: one-meter or three-meter.
Starting Position
Definition of the starting position of a dive in competitive springboard and platform diving.
Definition of the starting position of a dive in competitive springboard and platform diving.
Straight Position
The straight position is characterized by no bend in either the hips or knees.
The straight position is characterized by no bend in either the hips or knees.
Synchonized Diving
In synchonized diving, two divers of the same gender perform the same, or complementary dives from different boards of the same level, at the same time.
In synchonized diving, two divers of the same gender perform the same, or complementary dives from different boards of the same level, at the same time.
Takeoff
The takeoff in diving is the elevation a diver achieves prior to executing a dive.
The takeoff in diving is the elevation a diver achieves prior to executing a dive.
Tower
The tower is the diving platform structure that can hold as many as five levels: one-meter, three-meter, five-meter, 7.5-meter, and 10-meter heights.
The tower is the diving platform structure that can hold as many as five levels: one-meter, three-meter, five-meter, 7.5-meter, and 10-meter heights.
Tuck Position
The tuck position resembles a ball with the knees bent and the legs pulled as close to the body as possible.
The tuck position resembles a ball with the knees bent and the legs pulled as close to the body as possible.
Twist
A twist during a dive occurs when the diver rotates around an axis that runs from the head to the toes of the diver.
A twist during a dive occurs when the diver rotates around an axis that runs from the head to the toes of the diver.
Visual Spotting
Visual spotting is a technique practiced in diving, of using visual clues to tell the diver when it is time to kick out, or stop a dive from rotating or twisting.
Visual spotting is a technique practiced in diving, of using visual clues to tell the diver when it is time to kick out, or stop a dive from rotating or twisting.