General Freestyle Rules for Championship Divisions

The general rules for music and stage use apply to all Championship freestyle divisions. Specific considerations for each style of play are toward the bottom of the page.

Music

Each competitor shall have 3-minutes to perform a freestyle routine to his or her choice of music for the freestyle finals, and 1-minute for the semi-finals.

The 3-minute (or 1-minute) time period starts when the CD is started by the sound manager.

No points shall be scored for either Technical Execution or Performance Style for any reason before the music starts, or after the 3-minutes (or 1-minute time persiod) have elapsed.

Music shall start from the beginning of the track and shall be played for 3-minutes (1-minute during semi-finals) where it shall be cut off. Contestants can feel free to edit the music so that it fades out or ends at the appropriate time.

Music that terminates prior to the 3 minute (or 1-minute) time period will be considered to end the freestyle performance unless the competitor notifies the sound manager and contest director prior to the freestyle so the judges may be informed.

All music must be considered G-rated (appropriate for all audiences) and shall not contain offensive lyrics including but not limited to: obscenities, ethnic or sexual slurs, violence advocacy, etc. If you are unsure about your music, a judge will be available to listen to your music and make sure it is appropriate. Music used in many video games, television segments, and other media does not necessarily meet this standard. With the concurrence of the Contest Director and the Head Judge, use of inappropriate music by a competitor shall result in their disqualification.

Please see the Music Guidelines page for more information.

Stage Use

All actions of a competitor must be G-rated (appropriate for all audiences) and take into account the safety of the audience, facility, and the competitor. With the concurrence of the Contest Director and the Head Judge, dangerous or inappropriate behavior by a competitor shall result in their disqualification.

No assistants are allowed on stage while a competitor is performing. All extra yo-yos that are to be used by a competitor shall be ready to use and must be brought on stage, before their freestyle starts on a tray supplied by the Contest. Yo-yos that leave the stage during a freestyle shall not be returned to the stage and no others shall be accepted by the competitor from the audience or an assistant. If a competitor uses a yo-yo in violation of this rule, the judges will not award any points for Technical Execution or Performance Style while that yo-yo is in play, but shall deduct points for any mistakes, loss of control restarts, yo-yo replacements, etc.

No props are allowed on stage or to be used in the competition without the prior approval of the Contest Director and the Head Judge. Hats and glasses are excepted and do not require approval as long as they are not significantly altered. All reasonable requests for props will be considered if they are presented prior to the start of the competition.

Yo-Yos with hub stacks (or similar outside mounted bearings) or rim bearings are allowed in all divisions.

Division Specific Rules

Specific Considerations for 1A Freestyles

In a 1A freestyle, at no time shall there be more than one yo-yo in play (including slave or prop yo-yos) at the same time. During any periods of time that this rule is violated, the judges shall not grant any points for Technical Execution or Performance Style but shall deduct points for any mistakes, loss of control restarts, yo-yo replacements, etc. In a 1A freestyle, (except for the “Mobius style and Skyrocket type tricks provisions below”) at no time shall the yo-yo be removed from the string (i.e. no offstring tricks are allowed). During any periods of time that this rule is violated, the judges shall not grant any points for Technical Execution or Performance Style but shall deduct points for any mistakes, loss of control restarts, yo-yo replacements, etc. In a 1A freestyle, Mobius style is allowed. Skyrocket type tricks are also allowed. In a 1A freestyle, typical scoring elements include but are not limited to: mounts, dismounts, string hits, hops, grinds, lacerations, release catches (like suicides/Iron Whips), slack catches, regenerations and binds.

Specific Considerations for 2A and 3A Freestyles

In a 2A or 3A freestyle, the judges shall not grant any points for Technical Execution or Performance Style unless both yo-yos are in play simultaneously. In a 2A or 3A freestyle, at no time shall there be more than two yo-yos in play (including slave or prop yo-yos) at the same time. During any periods of time that this rule is violated, the judges shall not grant any points for Technical Execution or Performance Style but shall deduct points for any mistakes, loss of control restarts, yo-yo replacements, etc. In a 2A freestyle, typical scoring elements include but are not limited to: loops, punches, wraps, tanglers, moons, hops, stalls, worlds, transitions, regenerations and various combinations and/or variations of these elements. In a 3A freestyle, typical scoring elements include but are not limited to: 1A type string tricks that involve both yo-yo’s simultaneously, however transitions between tricks may involve tanglers, worlds, grinds, wraps and similar elements.

Specific Considerations for 4A and 5A Freestyles

In a 4A and 5A freestyle there is no restriction on the number of yo-yos that may be in play at the same time. In a 4A freestyle, typical scoring elements include but are not limited to: launches, tosses, catches, regenerations, grinds, intentional bounces off body parts or the stage back to a catch, boingys or other types of bounces between strings. In a 4A freestyle, trick elements performed with a pinched string that mimic 1A trick elements, where the yo-yo never leaves the string for the entire duration of the trick element, may be scored at a lower value than high risk off string moves. Similarly, 4A railing style tricks (sliding along the string) may be scored at a lower value than high risk off string moves. In a 5A freestyle, points shall only be awarded only while the counter weight (or multiple counter weights) is in play, or in the act of being moved from hand to hand. Any trick done while the counterweight is being held for the entire duration of the trick shall be considered 1A trick, and shall not be scored.

Freestyle Scoring for Championship Divisions

Technical Execution (TE)

Positive Point Awards:

Positive points shall be awarded for advanced level tricks or trick elements performed successfully. Variations of tricks and elements shall be fully scored.

Repeated tricks, repeated trick elements and repeated mounts may be scored at a lower value or not be scored at all.

Transitions between tricks shall be scored.

Additional points shall be awarded based on the difficulty level of a trick element. The base level (simplest advanced level tricks) trick would normally score one-point while more difficult tricks would be granted multiple points as the judge feels is warranted.

The number of points a judge awards for a particular trick element may also vary depending on how well the trick element is performed. For example, the same type of catch of an off-string” yo-yo may be given more points if the launch was extremely high as opposed to a launch where the yo-yo barely leaves the string. Similarly, a very basic Eli Hop may not even be scored if the yo-yo is only hopped a few inches off the string (because a particular judge feels it is not an advanced level trick element) while one with a high toss would be scored.

Other factors, besides difficulty level, that may increase the basic value of a trick element include but are not limited to: speed, amplitude, control, blind catches, and movement (i.e. turning while an off-string yo-yo is in the air before catching the yo-yo.)

Negative Point Deductions:

In all divisions, 1-point shall be deducted for each trick or trick element missed including but not limited to: missed string hits/catches, missed slacks, missed lacerations, missed binds, missed 5A counterweight/string catches, failed 4A launches. In all divisions, 1-point shall be deducted for each loss of control Repeated efforts to regain control of a yo-yo, such as but not limited to: repeated unsuccessful binds, repeated unsuccessful launches, and excessive uncontrolled loops or punches shall result in additional deductions.

In 2A and 3A (and in 4A and 5A when two or more yo-yos are in play), each yo-yo is judged separately.

Loss of control that results in a restart shall be a mandatory 2-point deduction per yo-yo. Therefore, in 2A and 3A (and in 4A and 5A when two yo-yos are in play) if both yo-yos need to be restarted a mandatory 4-point deduction shall be assessed. Note that each 2-point deduction includes the initial 1-point deduction for loss of control leading to the restart. If a contestant chooses to replace a yo-yo rather than to restart it, it is still a mandatory 2-point deduction.

In all divisions, replacing one yo-yo with another, shall count as a mandatory 3-point deduction if the yo-yo becomes unplayable due to a jammed, broken or knotted yo-yo string or due to a malfunction of the yo-yo. Voluntarily replacing a yo-yo (or yo-yos) which does not require a restart or which is not unplayable does not incur a deduction. In all divisions, a mandatory 3-point deduction shall be assessed for any yo-yos that leave the stage for unintentional reasons including but not limited to: broken strings, broken yo-yos, failed aerial catches in 4A and 5A, or yo-yos that come a part. In 2A and 3A (and in 4A and 5A when two yo-yos are in play), replacing both yo-yos at the same time, shall count as a 6-point deduction if both yo-yo are tangled or otherwise unplayable. Note that each 3-point deduction includes the initial 1-point deduction already assessed for loss of control leading to the yo-yo replacement. In 4A and 5A, if more than two yo-yos are in play each additional yo-yo shall be judged separately and each additional yo-yo shall be subject to the mandatory 1, 2 and 3-point deductions described above.

Intentionally launching, throwing or otherwise discarding a yo-yo off the stage or into the audience shall result in a mandatory 5-point deduction. Repeated violations of this rule may lead to a disqualification if the actions are considered disruptive or dangerous. Note that this rule is in effect before, during, and after the freestyle time period.

Performance (PS) Scoring

Performance sore will be tabulated using a 5-item categorized list. Each of the 5 categories will score from 0 to 5 points for a total of 25 points available for the performance score. These are general categories that judges have been looking for when clicking in performance scores. We are now specifically identifying what scores.

The 5 performance style categories that will be scored are:

1. Choreography and presentation
2. Artistry and control
3. Risk of tricks performed successfully
4. Variation of tricks performed successfully
5. Overall impression

A judge may grant a score of zero in a category if the contestant, in their opinion, failed to meet the minimum level expected for the competition. A score of 1 should be awarded for barely meeting the minimum level while a score of 5 should be reserved for an outstanding performance in that category. The overall impression score is designed to reward the contestant for how they have encompassed all the elements of style into constructing their freestyle.

General Performance Scoring Details:

For each of the five “Performance Style” categories a number of typical scoring elements are listed to orient the judges on what they should be looking for in a championship level freestyle. However, all of these categories are quite broad and many other related factors may be considered by each judge as they score a particular category.

Choreography and Presentation:

This is a very broad category that evaluates how elements such as the use of music, movement, stage use, audience interaction and freestyle theme are utilized to create an entertaining, impressive and exciting performance.

• Does the music seem to fit the freestyle theme?
• Are the tricks timed to match the beat of the music?
• Was the performance staged and constructed in a manner to add to the interest level of the freestyle?
• Did the contestant play to the audience and showcase their tricks?
• Does the freestyle have a beginning that grabs your attention and subsequent elements that build to an energetic climax?
• How entertaining was the freestyle presentation?

Artistry and Control:

This category judges how mature and refined the player’s yo-yoing skills are.

• Do the body movements and the yo-yo merge and flow together artistically?
• Are the tricks executed in a clean, fluid and controlled manner?
• Do the transitions into and between trick elements demonstrate mastery and control of the yo-yo style?
• Are the tricks presented (showcased) with consideration of how the trick appears to the judges and audience?
• Does the player perform even the hardest and riskiest maneuvers under control?
• How artistic is the yo-yoing style?

Risk of Tricks Performed Successfully:

Risky tricks not only increase the technical level of a performance but also may greatly enhance the entertainment value of a performance.

• Are the player’s trick elements difficult and risky?
• Are the trick elements performed with amplitude that increases the difficulty and risk of the elements?
• Are the trick elements performed with speed that increases the difficulty and risk of the elements?
• Are the trick elements performed while the player is moving so to increase the difficulty and risk of the trick elements?
• Are the trick elements performed with changes in planes from vertical to tilted planes that increase the difficulty and risk of the trick elements?
• Rather than catching the yo-yo between tricks are risky regenerations or other transitions utilized to maintain the flow of the freestyle?

Variation of Tricks Performed Successfully:

Trick variation not only demonstrates the scope of a player’s skills but may also significantly enhance the entertainment value of a performance.

• Does the performance contain a variety of trick elements encompassing all the major variations within that division?
• Do most of the trick elements appear unique with little repetition?
• Are the trick elements showcased to the judges and audience in a manner that make them clearly unique from other elements already completed?
• Are the trick elements performed with stylistic variation?
• Are a variety of regenerations utilized to link tricks?

Overall Impression:

After considering the four categories above individually, the judge will determine an “Overall Impression” score to reward the contestant for how all the elements of Performance Style: choreography, yo-yoing artistry, trick risk were interwoven to construct an stylistic and entertaining freestyle.

Championship Freestyle Scoring Calculations

The judges will score Technical Execution (TE) elements as they see them occurring in real time. Performance Style (PS) will be separately assigned at the end of the freestyle.

Technical Execution (TE) and Performance Style (PS) Scoring:

A contestant’s final freestyle score shall consist of the algebraic sum of their average normalized score for Technical Execution (Maximum score of 75) plus their points for Performance Style (Maximum score of 25).

Final Score:

The highest contestant’s Technical Execution raw score from each judge will first be normalized to 100 points and the other scores from that judge determined by multiplying 100 times a contestant’s raw score divided by the highest contestant’s raw score. The average Technical Execution score for each contestant shall be determined by discarding their highest and lowest normalized scores from the judging pane and averaging the remaining normalized scores to the nearest hundredth of a point. This normalized and averaged final technical score will count as 75% of the contestant’s final score – or up to a maximum of 75 points (i.e. TE = 0.75 times normalized score).

The final Performance Style score for a player shall be determined by discarding their highest and lowest Performance Style scores from the judging pane and averaging the remaining scores to the nearest hundredth of a point. This may total up to a maximum of 25 points.
The Final Score is then calculated by adding the averaged final Technical Execution score and the averaged final Performance Style score.

In the event of a tie for first, second or third place, the Head Judges and the Contest Director may declare a tie, or the average normalized scores will be recalculated for the tied contestants using the previously discarded highest and lowest normalized scores. The contestant with the highest recalculated average normalized score (to the nearest hundredth of a point) will win the tie.

Advancement to Finals

Single A (1A) Championship Finals

• The 9 regional contest winners automatically qualify for the 1A Championship Finals which will be held on Saturday October 2, 2010.
• The top 6 contestants in the Semi-Final round (one-minute freestyles) also advance to the 1A Championship Finals.  In addition to the 6 Semi-Final qualifiers, any contestant with a score within 1.00 point of the 6th qualifier will also advance to the 1A Championship Finals.
• If there are less than 9 regional contest winners competing, additional contestants may be chosen from the Semi-Final Round up to a maximum of 15 finalists. Note that extra contestants may be added only if their scores are within 5.00 points of the 6th qualifier.
• The Semi-Final qualifiers will be sorted from lowest to highest semi-final score to determine their performance order which will precede the regional qualifiers. The regional qualifiers will be randomly sorted to determine their performance order.

Double A (2A) Championship Finals

• The 9 regional contest winners automatically qualify for the 2A Championship Finals which will be held on Saturday October 2, 2010.
• The top 5 contestants in the Semi-Final round (one-minute freestyles) also advance to the 2A Championship Finals.  In addition to the 5 Semi-Final qualifiers, any contestant with a score within 1.00 point of the 5th qualifier will also advance to the 2A Championship Finals.
• If there are less than 4 regional contest winners competing, additional contestants may be chosen from the Semi-Final Round up to a maximum of 10 finalists. Note that extra contestants may be added only if their scores are within 5.00 points of the 5th qualifier.
• The Semi-Final qualifiers will be sorted from lowest to highest semi-final score to determine their performance order which will precede the regional qualifiers. The regional qualifiers will be randomly sorted to determine their performance order.

Triple A (3A) Championship Finals

• The 9 regional contest winners automatically qualify for the 3A Championship Finals which will be held on Saturday October 2, 2010.
• The top 5 contestants in the Semi-Final round (one-minute freestyles) also advance to the 3A Championship Finals.  In addition to the 5 Semi-Final qualifiers, any contestant with a score within 1.00 point of the 5th qualifier will also advance to the 3A Championship Finals.
• If there are less than 4 regional contest winners competing, additional contestants may be chosen from the Semi-Final Round up to a maximum of 10 finalists. Note that extra contestants may be added only if their scores are within 5.00 points of the 5th qualifier.
• The Semi-Final qualifiers will be sorted from lowest to highest semi-final score to determine their performance order which will precede the regional qualifiers. The regional qualifiers will be randomly sorted to determine their performance order.

Off String (4A) Championship Finals

• The 9 regional contest winners automatically qualify for the 4A Championship Finals which will be held on Saturday October 2, 2010.
• The top 5 contestants in the Semi-Final round (one-minute freestyles) also advance to the 5A Championship Finals.  In addition to the 5 Semi-Final qualifiers, any contestant with a score within 1.00 point of the 5th qualifier will also advance to the 4A Championship Finals.
• If there are less than 4 regional contest winners competing, additional contestants may be chosen from the Semi-Final Round up to a maximum of 12 finalists. Note that extra contestants may be added only if their scores are within 5.00 points of the 5th qualifier.
• The Semi-Final qualifiers will be sorted from lowest to highest semi-final score to determine their performance order which will precede the regional qualifiers. The regional qualifiers will be randomly sorted to determine their performance order.

Counter Weight (5A) Championship Finals

• The 9 regional contest winners automatically qualify for the 5A Championship Finals which will be held on Saturday October 2, 2010.
• The top 6 contestants in the Semi-Final round (one-minute freestyles) also advance to the 5A Championship Finals.  In addition to the 6 Semi-Final qualifiers, any contestant with a score within 1.00 point of the 6th qualifier will also advance to the 5A Championship Finals.
• If there are less than 6 regional contest winners competing, additional contestants may be chosen from the Semi-Final Round up to a maximum of 12 finalists. Note that extra contestants may be added only if their scores are within 5.00 points of the 6th qualifier.
• The Semi-Final qualifiers will be sorted from lowest to highest semi-final score to determine their performance order which will precede the regional qualifiers. The regional qualifiers will be randomly sorted to determine their performance order.