Straight Position In Diving

The straight position in diving is one of the four diving positions, alongside tuck position, free position and pike position.

Until the early 1920s, the straight position was the most common position for all dives.

As the sport of diving developed, it became impossible to perform more complicated dives in a straight position because the rotation was too slow. So the pike and tuck – originally known as hunch – positions were introduced.

The character used to donate a dive in straight position is A. So the dive number for a forward dive in the straight position is 101A.

Basics of the straight position in diving

The straight position in diving is recognisable by the diver’s body being kept in a fluid line, not bent at the hips or knees.

The diver’s head and shoulders are held high throughout the straight dive. Meanwhile, their hips are rolled forward for a flat back.

If a diver was performing the straight position on land, there would be little or no distance between the ground and the small of their back.

Difficulty of the straight position in diving

While a perfectly executed straight position in diving is beautiful to watch, it is difficult to pull off.

As a result, dives in straight position hold the highest tariff compared to the equivalent dives in pike or tuck position.

As well as the difficulty in performing a somersault in straight, the shape position also means that any flaws in form or execution are clear for all the judges to see.

Dives in straight position are now almost never seen at international level.

The race exception is in synchronised diving where a pair may perform one for one of their required dives.

These are the two dives at the start of a synchronised diving competition for which there is a limit to the difficulty of the dive permitted.