There are four major aspects contributing to a successful dive: - Height - Rotation - Form (aesthetics of the timing and postures adopted) - Entry The above are interrelated but height and rotation will be discussed separately for simplicity. After this common differences between good and poor divers are mentioned. Common differences between good and poor divers are: - Good divers are characterised by good height and long time in the air. - Good divers achieve the desired rotation with less lean at takeoff than poor divers. - For a given dive, good divers have less hip flexion or extension at takeoff than poor divers. - Good divers stay closer to the board. - Good divers appear unrushed. This is manifest in: . distinct delay between takeoff and adopting the designated position. Good divers adopt the position near the top of their flight. . Completion of somersault rotations while above the board. This provides enough time for extension to adopt a pleasing posture at entry. . Good divers have quick and precise transitions between positions. . Tuck and pike positions are held tightly with the head on the knees. . Good divers are well extended at entry even in high rotation dives. Common differences between good and poor divers in twisting dives include those for non-twisting dives plus: - Good divers minimise the use of a 'kick out' to initiate twist in forward dives. That is, the amount of hip flexion prior to extending to perform the twist is minimised. - The twists are performed rapidly. - The twisting rotation is completed in time to pike to stop the twist, remove the 'wobble' and extend for entry. - Good divers have stopped the twist prior to entry, are aligned square at entry (left and right shoulders and hips are in line when viewed from the side) and have removed the tilt (when viewed from in front).