Diving FAQ
Q: How should my child prepare for dive practice?
Diving requires getting in and out of the water, so bring plenty of towels in case it gets chilly. Snacks are highly recommended, especially if your child has back-to-back swim and dive practices. Other than that, the only things needed are a swimsuit and a good attitude!
Q: What dives are required for each age group?
Below is a list of the minimum requirements for each age group. "Optional" dives in this context denote dives that are not front dives, front line ups, back dives, or back line ups. Each optional dive must be chosen from a different group of the five dive groups; the five dive groups are fronts, backs, inwards, reverses, and twisters.
8 & Under: Forward dive, any position, or line up; back jump, front jump (3 dives total)
9-10: Forward dive, any position, or line up; back dive, any position, or line up; optional dive (3 dives total)
11-12: Forward dive, any position, or line up; back dive, any position, or line up; optional dive, optional dive (4 dives total)
13-14: Forward dive, any position, or line up; back dive, any position, or line up; optional dive, optional dive, optional dive (5 dives total)
15-18: Forward dive, any position, or line up; back dive, any position, or line up; inward dive, optional dive, optional dive, optional dive (6 dives total)
Q: How are age groups determined?
Your child's age group is determined by their age as of June 1 of the season. For example, if a diver's birthday is on June 1, and they turn 13, they will compete in the 13-14 age group.
Q: My child does not have all the required dives yet. Can they still compete?
Yes! They will compete as "exhibition divers," meaning that they will compete and earn an individual score but will be ineligible to earn team points(see How do dive meets work? for further explanation). Meets that are competed as exhibition do not qualify towards the two meet minimum requirement for eligibility to compete in Divisionals or All-Stars.
Q: How do dive meets work?
We highly recommend attending the Manor Woods "Pre-Meet" (2023 date is 6/7), 4pm-6pm. This is a "practice meet" where parents, volunteers, and divers can get a feel for how a typical dive meet works. Coaches are responsible for creating a dive sheet (list of dives to be competed) which the divers are required to sign, confirming that these are the dives they wish to compete. Events are determined by age group and by gender, i.e. 8 & Under Girls, etc. Judges score on a scale of 1-10. The winner of an event earns 5 points, second place earns 3 points, and third place earns 1 point towards the team score. A team may not have more than two divers earn team points for each event.
Q: How should my child prepare for a dive meet?
Wear the team suit and bring plenty of towels, snacks, water, and team spirit!
Q: How can my child qualify for the Divisional Championship Meet?
To qualify, each diver must have competed in at least two Dual Meets in the season. Coaches choose two divers from each event to compete in the Divisional Championship.
Q: How can my child qualify for the All-Star Championship Meet?
Divers who place first, second, or third in each event at the Divisional Championships are eligible to compete in All-Stars. There is also a Wild Card process that allows each team to select up to 2 Wild Card Divers. These Wild Card Divers do not have to compete in Division Championships, but they are required to have competed in at least two Dual Meets in the season.
Q: What are dive numbers and how do I read them?
Parents are not required to learn dive numbers, but they are useful to know. Dive numbers are three to four digit codes that represent a dive. The first number represents the direction of the dive (1=forward, 2=back, 3=reverse, 4=inward, 5=twisting). For non-twisting dives, the third number represents the number of half rotations. For twisting dives, the third number represents the number of half rotations, while the fourth number represents the number of half twists. For all dives, letters represent the position (A= straight, B=pike, C=tuck, D= free).
100 = Forward Jump
101c = Forward dive, tuck position
103b = Forward 1 1/2 somersault, pike position
5122d = Forward 1 somersault, 1 twist, free position
This information and loads more is available in the Montgomery County Diving League (MCDL) Handbook.
