Posted by Katie (203.87.64.195) on August 26, 2001 at 18:15:26:
In Reply to: Re: What do you think? posted by Bec on August 04, 2001 at 02:08:36:
"The FINA rules say you can only get a max. of 4.5 if your arms are above your head."
Actually, it's just if they are not by your side. They can be out to the side (not above your head) and you can still only get a 4.5 maximum. Also, it's a 4.5 maximum score if you don't straighten your legs before entering the water.
So for a front double you must kick them out sharp with your arms by your side prior to entering the water, or you'll max out at 4.5. You usually already have your legs straight for a twister to your feet, so no real concerns of that one there, but you usually learn them (and practise them, except till prior to a comp) landing in a "check" - so its common for people to not get their arms down by their side for those.
Is the maximum of 2 for all feet first dives? Maybe it's to more harshly penalise those who make both errors (don't straighten their legs AND don't bring their arms down). Or maybe it's put in as a detterant (like other things could be put in as an incentive. eg, if you don't land out past the spray you'll get a .5 bonus added to your score, or something like that - to encourage divers to put the dives down at the correct distance).
"So, I guess the judges are using 4.5 as a ten score and then judging the dive from that. That's the only reason I can see you getting 2's"
With 2 as the maximum score, you'd certainly have judges rewarding a lot of 2s - as it's a harsh price to pay. When it's maximum 4.5, the judges don't use the 4.5 as a base score of 10, so if there would normally score the dive a 6, the dive will then get a 0.5. Rarely happens. If you've done a great dive that's worth much more than 4.5, you're score will pretty much always stay as 4.5 or maybe 4 (but not lower very often). But if you've done a dive that may have only received 4.5 - they won't give you 4.5 as you deserve a deduction of some kind (maybe half of what they would have taken if it were from a 10).
You should also be given a 4.5 maximum for double bouncing on the board too, but the judges/referee have a habit of ignoring when the Chinese do it (esp. at the bigger comps).