Five international judges observe each dive and independently award scores unrelated to the dive's difficulty. The score range is 0 to 10, with 1/2 marks in between from 0 - 5 and 1/4 marks in between from 5 - 10.
The highest and the lowest marks are eliminated, and the sum of the remaining scores is multiplied with the degree of difficulty to determine the final points awarded for each dive.
In case that an athlete, a judge or a WHDF official recognizes a failed dive, an error or an irregularity that could have influence on the ranking, he can announce a protest to the WHDF board. This protest must be presented in written form no later than two hours after the last dive and must contain a complete description of the occurrence. The Head Judge, the WHDF technical director and the athlete, elected during the pre-event meeting, will together decide whether the protest is reasonable. All video material will be submitted under such circumstances.
Important elements include: height, angle, position and determination.
Armstand dives: paying attention on platform touching prior to take off.
Important: athletes have to show clearly the announced positions.
Attention on open legs in the tuck or pike position.
A = layout
B = pike min. 90 ° body angle
C = tuck hands must grip lower legs
D = free
E = 3 positions
F = split clear visible layout position
(1) = flying clear layout position > 90 °
Athletes have to keep their arms downwards during the feet first water entrance.
1st priority untwisted vertical straightness and body strength.
2nd priority water splash.
0.50 - 2.0 points open legs in B or C position
0.25 - 1.0 point entry correction (slight pike position)
0.50 - 3.0 points twisted water entrance < 45°
max. score 6.5 twisted water entrance > 45° < 90°
score 0 twisted water entrance > 90°
max. score 7.5 wrong arm position during water entrance
max. score 5.0 touching the platform during the dive
1.0 point breakdown of the armstand 1st attempt
2.0 points breakdown of the armstand 2nd attempt
score 0 breakdown of the armstand 3rd attempt
1.0 point non-execution of the dive 1st attempt
2.0 points non-execution of the dive 2nd attempt
score 0 on-execution of the dive 3rd attempt
score 0 variation of the announced dive
score 0 exceeding the 2 minutes time limit
In case where the performed dive raises concern (e.g. did the athlete execute the dive he announced), all judges will render their uninfluenced scores. The Head Judge will inform the officials of the concern raised and the circumstances will be addressed after the competition, prior to the awards ceremony/ prize money distribution. The Head Judge, a WHDF official and the athlete, elected during the preevent meeting, will together review the situation and come to a final decision. All video material will be submitted for observation.