Freestyle Judging Rules

Freestyle scores will be calculated, according to the World Yo Yo Contest judging rules,  in three components: Technical Execution, Performance Style and Compulsory Points.

Technical Execution - 65%

A net score shall be granted each contestant based on the algebraic sum of the plus and minus scores as determined below.

Positive points may be awarded for advanced level tricks performed successfully, including string hits, pops, wraps, transitions, regenerations, release catches, whip catches, and other yo-yo maneuvers.

Tricks, which a contestant has already completed, will not be scored in a second attempt.

Additional points may be awarded for difficulty, originality, long sequences on same spin, extreme amplitude of a maneuver, and similar yo-yo moves.

Negative points may be deducted for obvious trick misses, loss of control, and restarts.

Note that substitution of a yo-yo for another will count as a multiple deduction if the yo-yo string had become jammed or knotted.

No points shall be awarded for any tricks or antics done before the start of the 3-minute freestyle or after the three minutes has elapsed.

Technical Execution will count for 75% of the contestant's total score.

Performance Style - 25%

Each judge may grant a maximum of 30 points for performance style of a freestyle routine. (A performance equal to the winners of the National or World contests would probably score no more than 18 or 20 points.)

A contestant, while performing advanced level trick elements, may earn points for, but not limited to:

Stage Presence Choreography Amplitude Elegance of control and line Maturity of yo-yo maneuvers Originality Movement (and use of "yo-yo space" up, down, back and forth) Crowd reaction, entertaining antics, or other elements, which occur when not performing with a yoyo, shall not add to the performance style points.

As a guide the following scores ranges for each judge should use performance style.

Little or no style while yo-yoing. 0-2 points. Some hint of style and maturity. 3-4 points A fair overall routine. 5-7 points. A good overall routine. 8-10 points A very good overall routine. 11-13 points. A World or National level performance. 14-22 points, A show stopper. 23-30 points

Performance Style will count for 15% of the contestant's total score.

Compulsory Points - 10%

Compulsory points are the total points a contestant has earned in the compulsories.

Compulsory points will count for 10% of the contestant's total score.

Final Score

Points for Performance Style and Technical Execution shall be independently normalized then added together with the compulsory points to produce the contestant's score.

Ties will be broken based on which contestant has the highest:

Compulsory score Technical Execution score Performance Style points In the extremely unlikely event that there is still a tie, the judges have the ability to devise an appropriate tiebreaker, or can declare a tie.

The judge's decision is final.

All contestants will be regarded as having read, and understood the above all rules.