What must a dive look like in the air?
B · Beginner · The dive · 4 of 5In the air a dive must stay in its direct line of flight and show the position announced. Straight means no bend at the hips or knees. Pike means bent at the hips with straight legs. Tuck means compact, with the hands on the lower legs. In every position the feet are together and the toes pointed.
How it works
- The line: "During the execution of a dive the dive shall be in the direct line of flight." A dive that goes to the side is marked down by each judge.
- Straight (A): "the body shall not be bent either at the knees or hips. The feet shall be together and the toes pointed."
- Pike (B): "the body shall be bent at the hips, but the legs must be kept straight at the knees".
- Tuck (C): "the body shall be compact, bent at the knees and hips with the knees and feet close together within the bodyline of the shoulders. The hands shall be on the lower legs".
- Free (D): the body position is optional, "but the legs shall be together and the toes pointed".
- The arms: at the diver's choice in the straight and pike positions.
- Position not shown properly: each judge deducts ½ to 2 points.
- Wrong position altogether: a dive performed in a position other than the one announced can score no more than 2 points from each judge. A dive only partly in the wrong position is marked down as each judge sees fit.
- Flying dives: a straight position must be shown from the take-off or after one somersault. If it is not held for long enough, the most a judge may give is 4½ points.
- Twists: in somersault dives the twist may be performed at any time during the flight.
- Touching the board: a diver who touches the end of the board or platform with feet or hands is marked down by each judge.
The glossary has the dive positions and the direct line of flight.
Tricky cases
A diver announces a pike and bends the knees throughout. What can it score?
No more than 2 points from each judge. A dive performed in a position other than that announced is deemed unsatisfactory.
A diver's knees bend a little as they come out of a pike. Is that the same penalty?
No. A dive partly in another position, or with the position not well shown, is a deduction at each judge's discretion or of ½ to 2 points.
Where must the hands be in a tuck?
On the lower legs.
A diver drifts well to one side and lands away from the centre line. Is that penalised?
Yes. Each judge deducts for a dive to the side of the direct line of flight.
Why the rule exists
The position is what the diver promised. A pike is harder to spin than a tuck, and a straight body harder again, which is why each has its own difficulty rating. If a diver could announce a pike and bend the knees to get round, the difficulty table would mean nothing.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | DV 8.1.4 to 8.1.6; DV 8.5 |
| The referee | Announces the 2-point maximum before the judges show their marks, when the wrong position is quite clear | DV 6.4.13 |
| Free position | Allowed only in certain twisting dives | DV 1.5.9; DV 1.6.4 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Four: Diving Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 6.4.13, 8.1.4 to 8.1.6 and 8.5. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).