Twister Meaning in Diving

A twister is a colloquial term for any dive featuring lateral rotation. These maneuvers belong to the five thousand group in the official code. The athlete spins around a vertical axis while also performing a somersault. This combination of movements makes these dives some of the most difficult. The diver must manage two different types of rotation at the same time. This requires exceptional spatial awareness and core strength from the individual athlete. One example of a twister is a back somersault with two twists. Judges award high points for dives that maintain a straight body line. The diver must stop the twist perfectly to ensure a vertical entry. These dives are often the highlights of a professional competition final. Most elite divers include several twisters in their optional list for scoring.