Understanding The Dive Numbering System
Dive numbers are easy to understand once the system is explained. The dive number and letter is what you enter when you register for a meet. It is also what is read when the dive is announced to the diver during a meet.
The letters A, B, C and D indicate the position that will be used during the dive. A is for straight, B is for pike, C is for tuck and D is for free, meaning multiple positions will be used during the dive. D is normally associated with twisting dives.
A number beginning with a 1 indicates front dives, a 2 is for a back dives, 3 is for reverse dives, 4 is for inward dives, 5 means a twisting dive and a 6 is for arm stand dives on platform. Front, back, reverse, inward and arm stand dives have 3 numbers. The last number tells the amount of rotation in a dive. A 1 means a dive. A 2 means one somersault , a 3 means a 1 & ½ etc. through a 9 which stands for 4 & ½ somersaults.
As examples:A 103c would be a front 1 & ½ in tuck position. A 305b would be a reverse 2 & ½ in the pike position . Hand stand dives also have three numbers. The number 612b stands for a front hand stand somersault in pike position. The one indicates a front. A 622c would be a back arm stand somersault in tuck. A 632c would indicate a reverse arm stand somersault in tuck. The reverse arm stands are not common. I have only had two divers compete them in all the years that I have coached.
Twisting dives have four numbers. The 5 tells you that it is a twist. The second number stands for front back, reverse or inward, the third number is the amount of somersault rotation and the last number is for the amount of twist. A common twisting dive is the 5132d. This number stands for a front 1 & ½ with a full twist in the free position. A pike position is used to start the somersault, the diver becomes straight to twist and pikes again to complete the 1 & ½ somersaults. All of my divers are taught a 5231d which is a back 1 & ½ with a ½ twist. The reason for this is that it is the easiest twisting dive to land head first.
Twisting arm stand dives also have four numbers. The 6 means arm stand, the second number the dive group (front, back etc.) the third number the amount of somersault and the last number the amount of twist. A 6122d would be a front arm stand somersault with one twist. A 6223d would be a back arm stand somersault with 1 & ½ twists.
Test yourself and see if you can figure out what dives the following numbers represent.
401a =
5333d=
6243b =
109c =