Officials Clinic held at Glenbrook South High School Jan. 11, 2009.



Subject: What can be done to ensure poor diving judging doesn't have a

negative affect on the outcome of a contest?

Problem: Poor judging does affect the outcome of a contest.



Situation 1:

During an 11 dive Invitational dive number 5134 D was announced as a 

Forward 1 1/2 somersault with 2 twists free position 2.6. The diver had difficulty with

the take-off which created a lack of somersault rotation however the diver did

finish the 2 twists. As a result of the lack of somersault rotation the feet

barely touched the water first. By rule when this occurs, it is a failed dive.



The diving referee had some question in his mind as to whether it was a failed

dive or not. After a momentary pause he allowed the judges to score the dive.

There was 1 zero plus a 2 and 2 1/2 and then a 4 1/2 and a 5. The result after

the calculations, had this diver winning the contest by 2 points over the second

place diver.

Opinion:

The referee was not at fault in any way. He had a doubt about the completion of

the dive and allowed the judges to score the dive. This was proper protocol.



If the coaches had properly judged the dive, this diver would have finished in

second place. The two high judges in this situation were coaches of the 2 top

divers in the contest.



Situation 2:

During a Varsity Conference meet dive 303 B was announced as a reverse 1 1/2

somersault pike 2.4. The diver's knees were bent for the first 1/2

somersault and then straightened out. The entry into the water was near

vertical. The scores ranged from 4's to 5 1/2 & 6. The higher scores

were given by the coaches of the first and second place divers. By rule a

partial break in position would be scored as a deficient dive, with a score of

no more than 4.

Opinion:

The referee in my opinion followed proper protocol because he is not expected

to make a determination on a partially altered position. If there was a call to

be made, it would be that the dive was executed in the wrong position. However

the amount of knee bend in this case didn't necessitate this kind of

judgment. If the coaches had scored the dives properly the correct diver would have

won that contest instead he finished second by less than 5 points.



In both situations protocol according to the rules is that once the referee has 

allowed the judges to score a dive, all scores stand.

Solution?

The solution, if any, should be a discussion item.