How to count points...

[FallnAngel 0]

Hi, all!
I'm part of a 4-way rw team and we have some questions about how to count our points ('cause we're finally turning some!! Is the exit considered a point? If it is, does it matter if we break apart on exit or not? Does that still count as a point?
If we then have 2 of us drop grips and move into a second formation (reforming on the remaining 2 jumpers)...is that another point? Or does *everyone* have to drop grips before moving to the second formation for it to count as a second point?
Thanks for the help!
Blue skies, light winds,
Karen

[weid14 0]

OK, here goes..... (there are rules governing all this, in the competition manual on the USPA web site).
if you exit the formation complete it counts as a point.... you can launch anything you want and transition to the first point (grip switch even if you want). once you get that first point (remember the clock starts ticking when the first person leaves the plane other than video) you must show complete separation between points (formations) -- remembering that blocks have pieces that stay together.
So, if the dive goes something like this (intermediate dive pool) - E, 21 (meeker, zig zag/ marquis)..... you could exit a meeker (point 1), show compete separation and build a zig zag (point 2) zig/marq is a block, so there are two pieces that stay together.... the block turns and you build a marquis (point 3), compete break back to the Meeker (point 4).
If you drop grips in the block, you will not get credit for the block (it's a bust) and a 2 point penalty. if you do not show separation between random formations it is a bust and a 1 point penalty

[quade 4]

In addition to what has already been said . . .
For 4-way, ONLY the first 35 seconds count.
Continue to build formations until breakoff, but be aware that if you exit from 12.5 during training and have gotten "used" to scoring yourselves all the way until breakoff, you're going to be mighty dissappointed when you enter your first real competition.
If you're getting video and doing debriefs . . .
Go to a kitchenware store and get a kitchen timer that you can set to count down 35 seconds. Start the clock when the first person leaves the plane and stop counting points when the clock runs out.
Also, don't skimp on the camera flyer. Get one that knows what he's doing. He should know for dive pool and should be able to at least give you -some- idea of how the judges would score the jumps.
Paul
http://futurecam.com/skydive.html

[weid14 0]

I was going to put the 35 seconds right after "clock starts when first person leaves the plane", but my brain goes faster than my fingers.....
actaully the method we use a split timer stop watch. each point you hit the button, you can then time block moves, exit to break, exit to completion of second point, how far out is next formation from 35 seconds, etc. (i.e. is the 14th formation .5 seconds out, that sort of thing).
On the video thing, if the judges can't see it, you won't get credit. good camera fliers for 4way are hard to find... expect a new 4 way camera person to take out the formation once or twice trying to find the sweet spot between being to far away/too close/steep enough.

[quade 4]

Yeah, there's a lot of really interesting stat stuff that a team -can- do.
There was a guy on a team at my DZ this year with all sorts of goals laid out for time between points on blocks and all sorts of intricate goals for shaving 0.2 seconds here and there . . . ultimately, those goals didn't really match the rest of the team's personal goals and started causing a lot of undo stress.
I believe that it's probably very valuable at the higher levels, but for first year competitors, they probably have all they can manage just learning the basics and staying friends the entire season.
Paul
http://futurecam.com/skydive.html

[FallnAngel 0]

Thanks a bunch for the help, guys! This is exactly the info I was looking for Blue skies,light winds,
karen