Diving Competition Dive Sheets: What to Include and How to Use Them

What is a diving competition dive sheet?

A diving competition dive sheet is a structured list that shows each diver’s planned dives for an event. It records the dive order, dive numbers, names, positions, degrees of difficulty, and sometimes the scores. It is used by judges, meet organisers, and divers to keep the competition fair, organised, and easy to follow. For a small group of friends, a simple dive sheet can turn a casual session into a well-run mini meet.

Think of the dive sheet as the event programme. Before anyone jumps, each diver or the organiser writes down what dives will be performed. This lets everyone know the sequence, reduces delays, and makes scoring straightforward. The dive sheet also helps you build a realistic schedule, plan breaks, and clearly show who advances to the next round.

What should you include on a diving competition dive sheet?

A basic dive sheet should contain these elements:

• Diver name or ID – so each sheet belongs to one person.
• Competition round – e.g., Preliminary, Semi-final, Final.
• Dive number – the official code that describes the dive, like 101C or 201A.
• Dive description – what the dive actually is (e.g., Forward dive tuck).
• Position – tuck, pike, straight, or free.
• Degree of difficulty (DD) – the official multiplier for that dive.
• Board or platform height – e.g., 1m, 3m springboard, or 5m, 7.5m, 10m platform.
• Scores from each judge – usually 3, 5, or 7 spaces.
• Total score for the dive – calculated from the judges’ scores and DD.
• Running total – cumulative score after each dive.

For a casual event with friends, you can simplify: name, dive description, DD, and judges’ scores might be enough. But including dive numbers helps avoid confusion between similar dives and makes the sheet look professional.

How do you build a dive sheet for a group of friends?

Follow these steps to create a working dive sheet for your event:

1. Choose the competition format. Decide how many dives each person will perform and how many rounds you want. For example, a simple meet could have 3 dives for everyone in a single round.
2. Collect each diver’s dives. Ask each friend to write down their planned dives in the order they will perform them. If they are not sure, help them pick dives they can do safely.
3. Check the dive numbers and DD. Verify that each dive number matches the description and write down the correct degree of difficulty. You can find DD tables online or in a diving rulebook.
4. Fill in the sheet. Create a table with columns for dive number, description, DD, judges’ scores, and total. Use one row per dive.
5. Print or copy the sheets. Make enough copies for the judges, the announcer (if any), and the divers themselves.

Here is an example of a simple dive sheet layout for one diver:

How do you use dive sheets to plan the schedule and breaks?

Once you have all dive sheets, you can estimate how long the competition will take. Each dive generally takes about 1 to 2 minutes including walking to the board, performing, and getting scores. For 6 divers doing 3 dives each, that’s 18 dives, so roughly 20–40 minutes of actual diving time. Add a few minutes between rounds for discussion and breaks.

Use the dive order on the sheets to set the sequence. Usually, divers go in the order they are listed on the programme. You can rotate the order for fairness. For example, if there are two rounds, reverse the order in the second round so the first diver goes last.

Plan a short break after a set number of dives. For a friendly meet, a 5–10 minute break after every 6–8 dives works well. This gives everyone a chance to rest, warm up again, or talk about the dives.

How do dive sheets make the next round clear to everyone?

If your competition has multiple rounds, use the dive sheets to track progression. In the preliminary round, all divers perform their listed dives. After scoring, pick the top divers to advance to the final. For example, if you have 8 divers, you might cut to the top 4 after the prelims. Announce the cut and show the updated list.

For the final round, divers may repeat the same dives or choose new ones. If new dives are chosen, create new dive sheets or update the existing ones. Clearly mark which divers advanced by printing a new sheet or crossing out those who did not. Post the results where everyone can see them, or read them aloud.

Here is a simple progression plan for a group of friends:

What are common mistakes to avoid when using dive sheets?

Even with a simple sheet, mistakes can happen. Watch out for:

• Wrong dive numbers or DD. Double-check each dive number against the description. An incorrect DD changes the score.
• Missing dives. Make sure every diver has the correct number of dives listed before the event starts.
• Not updating after changes. If a diver changes a dive, update the sheet immediately and tell the judges.
• Unclear handwriting. Print names and descriptions neatly, or use typed sheets.
• Forgetting to record scores. One person should be in charge of writing down each judge’s score right after the dive.

How do you adapt dive sheets for springboard and platform events?

Dive sheets work the same way for springboard (1m and 3m) and platform (5m, 7.5m, 10m) events, but you must record the board or platform height clearly on the sheet. In mixed events, label each sheet with the height. For platform, dives often have higher degrees of difficulty for the same dive number because of the height. Make sure the DD column matches the correct height.

For a casual group, you might have one event on 1m springboard and another on 3m. Use separate sheets or clearly mark the height at the top of each sheet. If some friends are doing platform dives, ensure they are comfortable and safe at that height, and adjust the schedule because platform dives can take slightly longer due to the climb and extra caution.

Summary: Dive sheets are your friend

Diving competition dive sheets are simple tools that bring order to a fun meet. They show the dive order, dive numbers, degrees of difficulty, and scores. With a good sheet, you can plan a realistic schedule, manage breaks, and make the next round clear to everyone. Start with a basic table, collect dives from your friends, and enjoy a well-organised diving competition.