When watching a diving meet, it seems obvious that a forward 3 ½ in the tuck position is more difficult than a forward dive pike. But you may ask, how much more difficult?
The degree of difficulty of a dive, often referred to as the "DD," is one of two elements used to calculate the score of a dive with the other being the judges' scores for the dive. The judges' scores are multiplied with the degree of difficulty and this creates the total score for each dive. The diver’s scores for each dive performed are added together for a final total and one diver is the winner!
What Determines the Degree of Difficulty for Each Dive
The answer to that question lies in a formula developed by the international governing body for the sport of diving, Fédération Internationale de Natation - more commonly known as FINA. The formula was developed to create a standardized way to rank dives. It is based on the addition of values that are assigned to elements that make up a dive. Sound confusing? You're not alone.
Elements of a Dive
Each dive has elements to it that make it more or less difficult than another dive. These elements include:
- The number of somersaults performed
- The position in which the dive is performed (tuck, pike, straight, free)
- The number of twists performed
- The approach of the dive (forward, back, reverse, inward, twisting)
- The level of the dive (one-meter, three-meter, platform levels)
The formula and tables that assign values to these elements are a bit more complicated than this, but I’m sure you get the idea.
Degree of Difficulty Range
Degree of Difficulties range from 1.2 for a forward dive in tuck position performed on the one-meter springboard, to 3.8 for a reverse 3 ½ somersaults in pike performed on the three-meter springboard. As the sport develops and more difficult dives are learned, dives are added to the degree of difficulty table. Who knows, a dive with a degree of difficulty of 4.0 could be just around the corner.
But if the degree of difficulty formula is a little overwhelming, just remember that a forward 3 ½ in the tuck position is more difficult than a forward dive pike.
