Judging Faux Pas
This is another article in the series of judging dives. The concern in judging for this article focuses on the more complicated dives with a higher degree of difficulty. Keep in mind that this writer has given a score of 9 for an Inward 2 1/2 somersault performed in the 2002 Boys State Meet Finals.
Does a high degree of difficulty warrant a more lenient view of scores by judges? If we look at the points emphasized for awarding scores, we find that all dives should be judged solely on the execution/performance of the dive. The degree of difficulty is not included as one of those factors considered by judges. A judge's purpose is to critique every other aspect of a dive. The degree of difficulty is the "risk factor" of the dive being performed. Lower difficulty generally is interpreted as an easier dive for a competitor to achieve a more consistent result in performance. The higher difficulty dives generally are more inconsistent and more difficult to achieve the higher scores that are seen given to the easier dives. In other words, a diver with lower difficulty can outscore one with a higher difficulty list if that performance is much better. Conversely, a diver with a higher difficulty list can outscore the lower difficulty even with lower judge's scores. It's a matter of simple mathematics and a sound reason the judges should base a score on the actual performance.
The concern seems to point toward the fact that many judges are becoming more tolerant of errors in the dives with higher degree of difficulty. Conversely, they seem to have a tendency to be more critical when scoring the lower difficulty dives. Is that what should be happening with the judging in any contest? Is it in line with the basic premise of judging a contest? Is this practice fair to all the divers in that contest? Sometimes the inexperienced judge doesn't notice some of these flaws because so much is happening in a short amount of time that errors just don't register. Diving judging has always been subjective in nature. However, to change the basic parameters for the more difficult dives takes judging to a very confusing level for both the spectator and the divers themselves. Are we moving closer to the fiasco that is happening in figure skating?
It's wonderful to see some of the divers attempting more difficult dives but not when they sacrifice technique, execution and form for the higher difficulty. One of the basic problems with judging at all levels of diving is that very few people have an understanding of the mechanics involved to complete these difficult dives for the high scores that many divers are presently receiving.
In an effort to relieve this situation, "A New Judging Angle" was developed. It began with the finishing height and entry for dives. The basis for this was that most dives reflect a deficiency at entry that can be traced back to a specific deficiency at the onset of the dive.
The best example is that all twisting dives will finish the same way they are initiated. If the shoulders are not level at the beginning, there will be a noticeable side way lean or cast upon entry. With this rolling motion some divers can be observed initiating the twist a little early. The amount of twist shown on the board will give the appearance of an over-twist at entry. In almost all of these instances the diver is completing the exact amount of twist described. They finish the twist with the exact amount of early twist shown at the onset of the dive. Many twisting dives are also under-rotated on the somersault axis. The high school ladies have been observed arching to compensate for this inadequacy for foot first entries. What appears at entry is a big arch, a cast sideways and sometimes even a little over/under-twist. All of these deficiencies can be traced back to the inadequate initiation of the dive as described above.
Since divers doing the easier twisters seem to be penalized for the above deficiencies, the question is "Why are these same deficiencies being ignored on the higher difficulty dives?" Some officials will be in awe of a very difficult dive and sometimes get carried away in the excitement of the moment. Some coaches will become more lenient in enforcing the rules for reasons too numerous to describe here. In both situations they stray from the intent of being fair and impartial. Judging a performance demands that people can be fair and impartial. If one can not be fair and impartial then that one should not judge.