In the art and athleticism of diving, it's not just how you take off or rotate that counts, it's how you finish. The entry into the water is arguably the most defining moment of a dive, and a perfect finish can be the difference between a medal and missing the final altogether.
The Rip Entry: Diving’s Golden Signature
The “rip entry” is the gold standard of a world-class dive. It’s that satisfying moment when the diver slices through the water with almost no splash, often accompanied by the subtle tear sound that gives it its name.
“The rip entry is the most valued skill in diving. To enter the water at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour without a big splash is a feat of extreme athleticism and precision.”
And it matters, A LOT. A perfect rip entry can boost your score, while a poor, splashy one can severely damage it.
What Judges Really See And Score
World Aquatics defines four phases in scoring a dive:
• Approach
• Takeoff
• Flight
• Entry
The entry is the final impression, and often the most memorable. In official guidelines, a clean, vertical, splash-free entry may earn up to one extra point per judge compared to the same dive with a noticeable splash (World Aquatics Judges Manual, 2019).
But in real-world judging?
A splashy or over-rotated entry can result in a loss of 2 to 3 points per judge, especially if it breaks vertical or gives the impression of a sloppy, weak finish.
That means a dive that should score 8s might drop to 5s or even lower, a huge margin at the elite level.
How to Nail the Rip Entry
Mastering the finish takes discipline and repetition. Key elements include:
1. Perfect Vertical Line
Judges expect the diver’s body to appear perfectly vertical as they enter the water. Achieving this requires spatial awareness and a controlled exit from the rotation or twist.
Rotational exit requires strong technique (know your basics).
2. Hand Position: Grab and Pull
One hand is flat with the palm stretched wide to create a broad, tight surface.
The other hand wraps over the flat hand’s fingers, pulling it taut.
As soon as the diver contacts the water, they pull aggressively with the hands in a slight roll-through motion.
This movement creates a vacuum effect, the water is pulled in behind the diver’s body, helping to suck the feet in and finish the dive with minimal splash.
3. Body Tension
Core strength is essential for keeping the body tight and aligned, preventing any wobble or break in position.
Locked arms are just as critical, strong, straight arms help punch cleanly through the water, creating less resistance and a sharper rip.
4. Legs and Feet: The final Impression
Straight, tight legs and pointed toes are the last part of the diver to disappear beneath the surface.
Judges will remember the finish, it’s the final image burned into their minds.
Think of the legs and feet as the chef’s kiss of the dive, the subtle but crucial detail that seals a great impression.
SwimOutlet points out:
“The rip entry takes years to perfect, but involves two essential components: the flat-hand grab and correct body alignment when entering the water.”
Scoring Impact: The Harsh Truth
|
Entry Quality |
Typical Judge Score |
Total Effect (5 Judges) |
|
Rip Entry |
7.0 - 10.0 |
Excellent - podium range |
|
Moderate Splash |
5.0 - 7.0 |
Mid-range - costly |
|
Big Splash |
3.0 - 5.0 |
Likely out of contention |
On high DD dives, the entry effect is even more dramatic, since each point lost is multiplied. That's why elite divers train entries obsessively.
Final Words: Finish Like a Champion
In both springboard and platform diving, the dive isn’t over until your toes vanish cleanly into the pool. Whether it’s a back 2 and a 1/2 twisting 2 and a 1/2 from 10 metres or a forward 4 and a 1/2 tuck from 3m springboard, your entry is your signature, the final proof of control, composure, and class.
A perfect finish isn’t just a bonus. It’s the expectation.
So next time you dive, remember:
Finish strong. Rip clean. Score big.
Share this post: