What does the referee control during a diving competition?
A · Advanced · The competition · 4 of 5The referee controls the competition. No dive begins until the referee gives the signal. A diver has sufficient time to prepare, but if they take more than one minute after a warning, the dive scores zero. Nobody may help the diver during the dive. Help between dives is allowed.
How it works
- Control: "Every competition shall be controlled by a Referee", with judges and a secretariat, and sometimes assistant referees.
- The signal: a dive is executed after the referee's signal, which is given only when the diver is in position and the referee has checked the indicator board.
- The announcement: before each dive the diver's name and the dive are announced, or shown on the scoreboard.
- Time: "Each diver shall be given sufficient time for the preparation and execution of the dive, but if it takes more than one minute after the Referee has given a warning, the diver shall receive zero (0) points".
- A wrong announcement: the diver or their representative should tell the referee at once. If the wrongly announced dive is performed, the referee may cancel it and have the right one done immediately.
- No help: "During the execution of a dive, there shall be no assistance to the diver from any person. Assistance between dives shall be permitted."
- Disturbance: a diver who disturbs a contest may be excluded from it. A coach or official who does so may be removed from the competition area.
- The judges: the referee may remove a judge whose judgement they regard as unsatisfactory, at the end of a round, and reports in writing afterwards.
- Wrong position: when there is no doubt that the position is not the one announced, the referee says so and limits each award to 2 points.
Tricky cases
Is there a one-minute clock on every dive?
No. The minute runs from a warning given by the referee. Before that the diver has "sufficient time".
Can a coach call out to a diver while they are in the air?
No. No assistance may be given during the execution of a dive, and the referee may declare the dive failed.
Can a coach talk to the diver between dives?
Yes. Assistance between dives is permitted.
A diver dives before the signal. Does the dive count?
It depends on the referee, who decides whether it is to be repeated.
Why the rule exists
A diver should never leave the board before the pool is clear and the judges are ready, so one person gives the word. The one-minute rule deals with the diver who stands at the end of a platform unable to go. It allows time, gives a warning first and then ends the wait.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | DV 5.1; DV 6 |
| Synchronised diving | Assistant referees watch the diver on the far side | DV 6.2 |
| Back and inward dives | The diver does not move to the end of the board until the signal | DV 6.4.7 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Four: Diving Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 5.1, 6.1 to 6.4 and 6.6. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).