High school springboard diving

Question
Are you allowed to compete 1m with only standing dives? (Including Reverses and forward) I recently fractured my toe a few weeks ago and it's healing fast. I can't put full force on it like I would with a regular forward approach, but standing dives I'm okay. We have an overnight swim/dive meet in Las Cruses, NM next Friday, and I would hate to miss out on it. Thank you for your help!

Answer
Julian -

I wish I had a definite answer for you but because I am not involved with a high school diving team, I do not have access to a rulebook which is where the answer to your question is found. At your next practice, ask your diving coach or head swim coach if they have a copy of the current school year rule book. If they do, look up the section on diving rules. In that chapter look for the section that describes how dives are scored. Under 'Failed Dives' look to see if a front approach is required for front group, reverse group and front twisting dives.

In the past, I have seen a rule that a dive is failed if the diver does less than 3 steps followed by a hurdle. You have to look and see if this is still the rule.

If your coaches do not have a rule book for you to look at, go to this website:

www.nfhs.org. This is the website for all high school sports and they will have available a rule book to download. It could be that one of the coaches belongs to this organization. If the coaches do not belong, maybe your schools athletic director does. There is a fee to join. Only members can access rule books.

There is a person you can send an email to who will know the answer for sure. His name is Don Mason and he is in charge of the All American selection committee for high school diving. He knows all the high school rules. His email is [email protected]. Send him an email and tell him that you asked me this question but I did not know the answer. I have known Don for many years so I am sure he will help you. The only problem you may be facing in hearing back from him is that because of the holidays, he may be away from his desk.

I hope you are able to attend your meet. Good luck.