Everything you need to know about springboard diving

Diving is a term that refers to a group of sports that involve jumping off various platforms while demonstrating acrobatic skills. One of the most popular types of diving is springboard diving, which involves falling into the water after jumping off the springboard. This discipline is well-known all over the world and is considered one of the easiest types of diving. What else should you know about it?

Types of diving

Diving has a several variations, each of them having its peculiarities and characteristics. In general, there are two types of equipment that can be used for diving: a platform or a springboard. The difference between these two surfaces is that a springboard is set at the height of 1 to 3 meters above the water, while the platform is actually a diving tower that has several levels, varying from 1 to 10 meters.

According to the starting position of the diver, the following types of diving are determined:

• When the diver faces the water and performs either a forward or a backward somersault;
• When the diver faces away from the water and demonstrates a forward or a backward flip;
• When the diver rotates about two axes;
• When the diver begins the jump with a handstand.

It is possible to jump off the surface with straight legs, with straight legs and bended torso, or with the chin touching the knees.

The jump can be followed by two maneuvers:

• Rotating about transverse axis;
• Rotating about longitudinal axis.

Any of these rotations can involve a ½ or 1/1 turn.

Restrictions for divers

Springboard diving requires being physically trained in general and being able to demonstrate acrobatic and gymnastic skills in particular. In addition, it is important to train hard. Training should start with jumping off the swimming pool or the lowest platform on the diving tower. It is necessary to be capable of performing the basic moves, and then they turn to learning difficult maneuvers.

Divers must be in good physical condition and have a good sense of balance. Courage is an inevitable trait of character for every diver, since they can reach the speed of 50 kilometers per hour when jumping off the springboard. If the maneuver is completed in a wrong way, a diver is likely to be injured. The most dangerous maneuvers are when the initial position involves facing the water and doing a backward flip, or facing away from water and doing a forward flip.

Swimming pool

The pool that is used for springboard diving is the same as the ones used for swimming. Its width is 21 meters and its length is 18 to 22 meters. According to the rules established by the FINA, it should be at least 4.5 meters deep. Also, the lightning should be at least 500 lux.

As for the springboards, they are made of aluminium alloy called duraluminium. This material is perfect for them because it helps to create its whip. Their height varies from one to three meters above the water. They are 50 centimeters wide and 4.8 meters long. According to the rules, at least 1.5 meters should be placed directly above the water surface. Usually a small pool with warm water is used after jumping by sportsmen.

Judging

Each jump is awarded a particular number of points. The score is determined by the technical accuracy of the elements and the amount of sprinkles that appear when a sportsman dives into the water. The overall amount of points is 10 for each jump. Three points are awarded for the start, three points are awarded for the flying phase, and three points are awarded for the diving momentum. There is one more point that is not included in any of these groups.

There are seven judges, including the head judge. They watch all sportsmen demonstrate their programs from the side. They award each jump a particular number of points (from 0 to 10) and then the arithmetical average is counted.

What factors determine the number of points awarded for each jump?

• Initial position should not be shackled.
• Run-up, or running approach, should consist of four steps.
• Jump-off should be directed upwards.
• Flying must involve technically correct position and beauty.
• Diving must be vertical, and not create too many sprinkles.

Competitions

Springboard diving is a discipline that is officially recognized by the International Swimming Federation, or FINA. Springboard diving is an Olympic discipline. The competition is divided into three steps. The first one is preliminary and is used to choose 18 best divers. The second one is semi-final, in terms of which only 12 best divers are determined. Finally, the final helps to determine the winner by the amount of the points.

All participants are divided into groups on accordance with their age and gender. Male divers demonstrate six jumps in the preliminary and the final stage, while in the semi-final they demonstrate five jumps. As for female divers, they demonstrate five jumps in all stages. These restrictions are concerned with the 3 meters’ springboard.

As for the one meter’ springboard diving, there is only one stage. Male divers demonstrate six jumps, whereas women have to jump off the springboard only five times. Before the beginning of a competition, each participant has to provide judges with a protocol, in which they must enumerate all the jumps. It is not allowed to change the jumps or their sequence, otherwise they will not be included in the overall score.

All in all, springboard diving is an Olympic discipline that involves jumping into the water off a springboard made of dualuminium. This sport is very popular in many countries and is available almost everywhere where there are swimming pools.