What are the violations & penalties in Diving?

Section 7: Violations & Penalties

Failed dive (zero): dive not performed as announced, dive position not held, dive landing not in standard entry, repeated incomplete dives. Rule 4-31, as clarified under the 2025-26 and 2026-27 Swimming and Diving Rules Changes, sets the specific instances in which a dive must be declared a failed dive, and Rule 6-4 extends this to board/platform contact during flight or entry that meaningfully affects execution or safety
Balk: diver starts the approach but does not complete the dive — re-do allowed once per competition; second balk on same dive = failed dive
Wrong dive: diver performs a dive different from the announced dive — failed dive
Wrong position: diver attempts the announced dive in a different position than declared. Rule 4-31, as revised for 2025-26, sets detailed criteria for allocating points in this scenario rather than a blanket failed-dive score, aligning NCAA judging with USA Diving and World Aquatics practice
Equipment / coaching violation: improper coaching during the dive, equipment used to gain advantage — DQ at the meet referee's discretion
Unsporting conduct: NCAA Sportsmanship Code; ejection + disciplinary review

Failed dive (zero): dive not performed as announced, dive position not held, dive landing not in standard entry, repeated incomplete dives. Rule 4-31, as clarified under the 2025-26 and 2026-27 Swimming and Diving Rules Changes, sets the specific instances in which a dive must be declared a failed dive, and Rule 6-4 extends this to board/platform contact during flight or entry that meaningfully affects execution or safety
Balk: diver starts the approach but does not complete the dive — re-do allowed once per competition; second balk on same dive = failed dive
Wrong dive: diver performs a dive different from the announced dive — failed dive
Wrong position: diver attempts the announced dive in a different position than declared. Rule 4-31, as revised for 2025-26, sets detailed criteria for allocating points in this scenario rather than a blanket failed-dive score, aligning NCAA judging with USA Diving and World Aquatics practice
Equipment / coaching violation: improper coaching during the dive, equipment used to gain advantage — DQ at the meet referee's discretion
Unsporting conduct: NCAA Sportsmanship Code; ejection + disciplinary review