Section 5: Rules of Play
NCAA Championship Events
- 1-meter springboard: 11-dive list (5 voluntary + 6 optional, women) or 11-dive list (6 voluntary + 5 optional, men) — exact split per published rule book
- 3-meter springboard: same 11-dive list framework as 1-meter
- 10-meter platform (M's championship event; W's contested at some D1 conferences and championships): 11 dives
Dive Categories
- Group 1 — Forward: front-facing takeoff, forward rotation
- Group 2 — Back: back-facing takeoff, backward rotation
- Group 3 — Reverse: forward-facing takeoff, backward rotation
- Group 4 — Inward: back-facing takeoff, forward rotation
- Group 5 — Twisting: any group with twist
- Group 6 — Armstand (platform only): handstand on the edge of the platform, body falls into the dive
Dive Position
- Straight (A): body fully extended
- Pike (B): body bent at the hips, legs straight
- Tuck (C): body bent at hips and knees, hands holding shins
- Free (D): combination position (twisting dives)
Approach and Takeoff
- Springboard: approach must consist of at least 3 steps + a hurdle (one-foot takeoff into a two-foot landing)
- Platform: approach must consist of at least 4 steps OR a standing/armstand takeoff
- Re-do allowed once per competition for falsely-called dive (per NCAA rule)
Dive Execution
Each dive is judged on approach, takeoff, elevation/distance, execution, and entry. The diver must hit the announced dive position; failure to do so results in degraded scores or a "failed dive" (zero score) per the rule book.