New-York tribune., 1911-11-26
FANCY DIVING RULES SET
A. A. u. Adopts WahIe's Code
Without Change.
AIDS U.S.IN OLYMPIC GAMES
System of Judging Modelled
After Best in Europe, and
Fixes Standard

Tho long promised code TO govern fancy
diving, I'm this country has at last been
adoptcd After working at " for almost
two wears. otto Wahle was able 20 submit /
II in concrete form at the annual meeting
of thc Amateur Athletic Union Few Gays
ago and il passed the critical censors
without a correction.
Tho most important feature OF the new
rules is the clear. minute manner In which |
Judges arc instructed. Nothing Is LETT 70
the imagination. There will be no more
arbitrary imposition of personal opinions.
To begin with. a table has been formulated
giving the maximum number Of points
which can be awarded for every known
dive. Next the officials are told 10 add Tor
execution a stated number Of points ac-
cordins 10 the dive being totally unsuccess-
full. bad fair. good or excellent. Finally
they are coached in all details, as 10 how
they shall estimate the relative value OF
every individual dive by dividing 1t into
take-off. work in the air and entry in the
water. This will not serve 10 develop
competent judges. Of which there is such
need. but give coaches and contestants
definite and uniform standard at whca u
aim.
forms Is TO be commended. often in the
past championship candidates have been
thrown out OF form entirely by being forced
to use a take-off different in height and
construction from the one used in practice,
and it has at times resulted in unfair and
unsatisfactory awards In future the
springboard for fancy diving must he ten
feet above water. have length Of thirteen
reft M Eg ID
The usual elastic character. For high div
ing the platforms must be sixteen and
thirty-two feet. respectively. above the
water. have a width Of seven feet and he
firm. free from spring. In all cases the
construction will be subject TO the ap-
provaI Of the Amateur Athletic Union, and
il clubs holding championships find it nee
essary 10 make any changes ii is demanded
of them that they submit their plans some
time in advance for inspection Thus, when
regulations cannot he complied with, every
prospective candidate will be informed he
forehand that he prepare for the different
conditions
\ praisev orthy innovation is the increase
of voluntary dives permitted from three TO
six. This will give the expert entrants
more latitude 10 show their versatility, i'm
prove all around ability and also make the
contests more varied and spectacular
a decided change for the better has been
made in the system OF determining the
prize winners. The custom has long OBJ
tanned Of summing up the individual scores
of the three judges. and awarding the
places accordingly which enabled any one
official 10 pad his figures 50 as to throw
victory one way or the other over the
heads of his fellow judges. From now on
this viii not be possible. Each judge will
have to name first second and third from
his own score card, and the numerical 20
sitions viii be added instead Of the points
victory going TO the smallest total instead
Of the greatest BY this method the voice
Of the majority must necessarily rule.
In looking closely into the new code and
in comparing II with those OF the European
countries, which lead IN fancy diving. II
becomes apparent that Mr. Wahle has
sought 20 follow the latter rules as much
as possible. 1t was the act OF wisdom our
divers will naturally develop a STYLE SINH
lar TO that obtaining abroad. and so fit
themselves more adequately for interna-
tional competition. In view OF the Olympic
games next summer I'm Sweden, nothing
better could have been done 10 increase
the chances OF our representatives