Championship Division Rules

Freestyle Judging Rules and Guidelines for 2013

  • FOR EACH CONTESTANT, TECHNICAL EXECUTION MAY COMPRISE UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 65.0 POINTS AND PERFORMANCE STYLE/TECHNICAL EVALUATION MAY COMPRISE UP TO A MAXIMUMOF 35.0 POINTS.
  • YO-YO(S) MAY NOT BE SPINNING, THROWN OR IN A MOUNT BEFORE THE CONTESTANTS NAME IS ANNOUNCED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE MUSIC IS TO START. THE TIME/MUSIC STARTS AS SOON AS THE CONTESTANTS NAME IS ANNOUNCED. VIOLATION OF THIS RULE MAY RESULT IN A MAJOR DEDUCTION OF 3.0 POINTS SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE HEAD JUDGES.
  • MAJOR DEDUCTIONS FOR YO-YO RE-STARTS, YO-YO CHANGE-OUTS (FOR ANY REASON) AND YO-YOS LEAVING THE STAGE SHALL BE ASSESSED AFTER THE TECHNICAL EXECUTION AND PERFORMANCE STYLE/TECHNICAL EVALUATION ARE TOTALED.
  • TIME STARTS BETWEEN 0:00 AND 0:01 ON THE MUSIC, AND ENDS BETWEEN 1:00 AND 1:01 FOR THE PRELIMINARIES AND 3:00 AND 3:01 FOR THE FINALS.
  • IF A CONTESTANT STOPS YO-YOING TO DANCE, SING OR PERFORM MOVEMENTS WITHOUT A YOYO IN PLAY; NO POINTS SHALL BE GIVEN FOR TECHNICAL EXECUTION OR PERFORMANCE STYLE/TECHNICAL EVALUATION. THE CONTESTANT MUST BE YO-YOING TO SCORE TECHNICAL OR PERFORMANCE POINTS.
  • FOUR CATEGORIES OF PERFORMANCE STYLE/TECHNICAL EVALUATION THIS YEAR INSTEAD OF 10.

JUDGING

All judges will score both Technical Execution and Performance Style/Technical Evaluation.

Judges will be using clickers and judging technical execution in the traditional way except that they will not deduct points for the major deductions listed below. They will give positive points based on successful trick elements performed and deduct only for trick elements missed and for loss of control. Note that any loss of control leading to a major deduction shall be scored by each individual judge.

Technical Execution: 65.0-Points Maximum

A minimum of five judges shall be used to judge the finals. The high and low scores for each contestant shall be discarded and the average score from the remaining judges shall be used to determine the contestant’s Technical Execution score. The highest net score(s), Positive points minus Negative points, from each individual judge shall be normalized to 65.0 points and all other scores from that judge shall be proportioned to a score of less than or equal to 65.0 points rounded to nearest one-tenth of a point. Negative scores are possible.

Positive Points:

  • NOTE THAT IN 2A AND 3A NO POINTS FOR TECHNICAL EXECUTION SHALL BE SCORED UNLESS BOTH YO-YOS ARE IN PLAY SIMULTANEOUSLY.
  • Positive points shall be awarded for advanced level tricks or trick elements performed successfully. Variations of tricks and elements shall be fully scored. Simple basic yo-yoing elements should not be scored.
  • Repeated tricks, repeated trick elements and repeated mounts may be scored at a lower value or not scored at all. It is recommended that all judges be very strict and not score obvious repeating tricks and/or trick elements.
  • Additional points may be awarded based on the difficulty level of a trick element. The base level (simple advanced level tricks) trick would normally score one-point while more difficult tricks and elements would be granted multiple points as the judge feels are 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 very high toss may be scored.

Negative Points:

As noted above, judges will not assess negative points for Re-starts, Yo-Yo Change-outs, and Yo-Yos leaving the stage.
However, any loss of control leading to a major deduction shall be assessed a negative score by each individual judge.

These “MAJOR DEDUCTIONS” shall be assessed by the two Co-Head Judges, or their designees, and subtracted from the contestant’s total score for Technical Execution and Performance Style/Technical Evaluation. This scoring rule may significantly increase the value of a clean and near perfect routine.

  • In all divisions, 1.0 -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 rejections, missed binds, missed grinds, missed 5A counterweight/string catches & tangles, failed 4A launches and other obvious mistakes.
  • In all divisions, 1.0-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 4A launches, and excessive uncontrolled loops or punches shall result in additional deductions. In 2A and 3A, and in 4A and 5A if applicable, when two or more yo-yos are in play, each yo-yo is judged separately.
  • All judges shall be very strict and not score repeated tricks or repeated trick elements unless they are clearly variations.
  • Major Deductions for yo-yo re-starts, yo-yo change-outs, and yo-yos leaving the stage will be assessed by the Co-Head Judges.

PERFORMANCE STYLE/TECHNICAL EVALUATION: 35.0-Points Maximum

In order for the Performance Style/Technical Evaluation points to have a significant bearing on a contestant’s final score the judges shall be very judicious in granting these points. A judge may grant a score of 0.0 in a category if the contestant, in their opinion, failed to meet the minimum level expected for the competition. A score of 1.0 should be awarded for barely meeting the minimum level for a category while a score of 10.0 should be reserved for an truly outstanding performance in that category.

As a general guideline, judges shall score each category on the following scale:

  1. Poor: 0.0-2.5
  2. Good: 2.6-5.0
  3. Very good: 5.1-7.5
  4. Excellent: 7.6-10.0

NOTE THAT IN 2A AND 3A NO POINTS FOR PERFORMANCE STYLE/TECHNICAL EVALUATION SHALL BE SCORED UNLESS BOTH YO-YOS ARE IN PLAY SIMULTANEOUSLY.

The high and low judges scores for each contestant for Performance Style/Technical Evaluation shall be discarded and the average score from the remaining judges shall be used to determine the contestant’s Performance Style/Technical Evaluation score.

All judges shall score each of the following four categories of Performance Style/Technical Evaluation on a scale of 0.0 to 10.0 points. The level of difficulty of the freestyle elements should be also considered when assessing these components of style/execution since it is harder to be stylish and precise while performing difficult tricks.

  • Choreography/Freestyle Construction:
  • Cleanliness/Artistry:
  • Variation/Uniqueness:
  • Overall Impression:

1. Choreography/Freestyle Construction 0.0 to 10.0 points:

Judge’s may award points for elements such as but not limited to: music use, trick elements timed with the music, cueing, rhythm, creativity of expression, story/theme, stage use, andentertainment value. This is a very broad category that evaluates how elements such as the use of music, timing of element execution, and rhythm complement the freestyle.

2. Cleanliness/Artistry 0.0 to 10.0 points:
Judge’s may award points for elements such as but not limited to: control, line of string, trajectory of yo-yo, smooth landings, amplitude, speed, extreme precision and accuracy of technical skills, and fluid and smooth transitions.

3. Variation/Uniqueness 0.0 to 10.0 points:
Judge’s may award points for elements such as but not limited to: Variety of techniques within the style of play

4. Overall Impression 0.0 to 10 points: For this category the judges shall considers all the style and technical elements that comprise the freestyle in determining their scores. Other elements such as showmanship and stage presence, while yo-yoing may also be considered. Note that each judge will grant a score of 0.0-10.0 and the computer will reduce the Overall Impression score by a factor of 0.5.

The following General information is provided to further list some of the Performance Style/Technical Evaluation elements the judges will scoring.

  • Amplitude (Variation in magnitude of moves, movement, stage use): 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?
  • Cleanliness (Line of string, trajectory of yo-yo, smooth landings and flowing transitions): 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? Does the yo-yo land and exit the string cleanly?
  • Execution (No major deductions, near perfection, extreme precision and accuracy of technical skills): How perfect and masterful was the freestyle from a technical perspective?
  • Variation (Different techniques within the style of play): Technique variation not only demonstrates the scope of a player’s skills but may also increase the level of difficulty of trick elements. Does the performance contain a variety of trick elements encompassing all the major variations within that division? Are the trick elements showcased to the judges in a manner that make them clearly unique from other elements already completed? Are a variety of regenerations utilized to link tricks?
  • Music Use (Choreography, music timing, cueing, rhythm): This is a very broad category that evaluates how elements such as the use of music, timing of element execution, and rhythm complement the freestyle. Does the music seem to fit the freestyle theme? Are the tricks timed to match the beat of the music?
  • Professionalism (Stage presence/composure, body control, presentation): Does the player demonstrate a mature professional presence before, during and after the freestyle? Does the player demonstrate total control of all aspects of the performance?
  • Routine (Construction, scene, tempo change): Does the freestyle have a beginning that grabs your attention and subsequent elements that build to an energetic climax?  Is ­­­there a clear beginning and ending with smooth transitions from scene to scene and from changes in tempo.
  • Showmanship (Enjoyment, entertainment, story, theme): Was the performance staged and constructed in a manner to add to the interest level of the freestyle? How entertaining was the freestyle presentation? Did the contestant play to the audience and showcase their tricks?
  • Style (Creativity of expression, distinct styling, integration): Are the trick elements performed with stylistic variation? How artistic is the yo-yoing style?
  • Uniqueness (Rareness, originality, difference within the contest framework): Does the player demonstrate an original or unique style of play with a significant number of original trick elements? Do most of the trick elements appear unique with little repetition? Does the player’s mix of trick elements demonstrate a higher level of difficulty than the other players?­­­­­

MAJOR DEDUCTIONS:

All Major deductions shall be subtracted from each contestant’s combined score for Technical Execution and Performance Style/Technical Evaluation to determine their Final Score.

  • 1.0-point deduction: Re-starting the spin of the yo-yo.
  • 3.0-point deduction: Change-out of a yo-yo for another one for any reason.
  • 3.0-point deduction: Yo-Yo leaves the stage or is abandoned for any reason.
  • 5.0-point deduction: Yo-Yo leaves stage in a dangerous manor due to a broken string, mechanical failure or negligent action of the contestant. Subject to review by the Co-Head Judges.
  • 1.0-3.0-point deduction: Yo-Yo(s) are spinning, thrown or in a mount before the contestants name is announced prior to the start of time/music. Subject to review by the Co-Head Judges.
  • Disqualification: A contestant may be disqualified for any negligent and/or willful actions that endanger the judges, staff, contestants or members of the audience. This action is subject to review by the Co-Head Judges and the Contest Director.
  • Disqualification: A contestant may also be disqualified for using music that is deemed inappropriate for a general audience that includes children or for or behavior on stage that is deemed inappropriate for such an audience. Therefore, please refrain from using music with: inappropriate language, violent themes, sexually explicit themes, anti-religious themes and other such offensive lyrics. This action is subject to review by the Co-Head Judges and the Contest Director.

Final Championship Freestyle Score = sum of points for

  • Technical Execution (65.0-points maximum), plus
  • Performance Style/Technical Evaluation (35.0-points maximum)
  • Minus MAJOR DEDUCTIONS.

In the event of a tie for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place the following tie-breakers will be:

  1. Lowest total Major Deduction score.
  2. Highest Technical Execution Score.
  3. Highest Final Score rescored with the previously discarded high and low scores from the judging panel. Note that the Contest Director has the option to use this tie-breaker or to declare a tie.