Official rules for Figure

The judging will be conducted in two rounds.
 The first and second rounds will be conducted during prejudging.
 In those cases where the promoter chooses to perform live judging during the finals, the scoring will be the same but performed during the finals.

 No jewelry, gloves, hats, etc. are allowed to be worn during Prejudging.
 Excessive body piercing jewelry (chains connecting rings) should be removed prior to the show.

RULE CHANGE 2006: THERE ARE NO COLOR RESTRICTIONS ON THE SUIT OR SHOES.

The promoter can offer one class or two height classes (to be split evenly by height at the show).

PREJUDGING

ROUND 1: In this round, contestant attire is restricted to 2-piece swim suit (absolutely no thongs) and high heels.
         With regard to the high heels, there are no restrictions on the sole or height of the heel.
This round will consist of a group presentation and quarter turns.
         This is where the contestant is being compared against the members of their height class.
         The areas being scored in this round are Phy! sique and Presentation.
         With regard to Physique, the judges are looking for athletic conditioning and symmetry.
Reasons for receiving a lower score include:
         overly muscular physique;
         striations in the upper arms and legs;
         looseness in the arms, gluts, and legs.
There will be no deduction for well developed abs.
Judges will rate the competitors from 1 to 3. Judges can add increments of .25 to the score if they deem it necessary.
With regard to Presentation, the judges will be looking for:
         poise, skin tone, make-up, hair style, suit fit, and a good smile.
Judges will rate the competitors from 1 to 3. Judges can add increments of .25 to the score if they deem it necessary.

ROUND 2: In this rou! nd, contestant attire is the same as Round 1. This round will consist of an individual stage walk.

Stage Walk: After having your number called by the Head Judge, the contestant will walk out (without music) to center stage and perform two (2) poses.
         Each pose should be held for a couple of seconds. After performing the center poses, the contestant should be facing the front and should walk to stage left (if the contestant entered from the left of the stage) and strike two (2) of her favorite poses.
         After the stage left pose, the contestant should walk to stage right and perform two (2) poses of her choice.
         After a brief pause, the contestant can exit the stage area.
The posing and turns should not resemble the muscle flexing which is exhibited in bodybuilding.
The stage walk should exhibit poise and grace! . The entire stage walk should have a even flow.
Turning into your poses should be as smooth as possible.

 

With regard to scoring the Stage Walk, the judges will be looking for grace during the stage walk (walking in heels), and a smooth flow into poses.
Reasons for receiving a lower score include:
          stiffness during stage walk;
          not transitioning smoothly into poses;
          performing bodybuilding poses, and failure to execute the proper number or poses.
Judges can add increments of .25 to the score if they deem it necessary.

Tie Breaker: First tie-breaker is the lowest stage walk score. The second tie-breaker is the lowest combined stage walk and presentation score.

FINAL

In the Finals, contestant attire has few restrictions. Normal a! ttire would be a 2-piece swim suit or sport gear and high heels.
There are no color restrictions. The Finals will consist of a group presentation and quarter turns followed by an individual stage walk.

RULE CHANGE 2006: POSING IS RESTRICTED TO THE STAGE WALK. THERE IS NO FREE STYLE POSING.

Attire: Will be a 2 piece bikini-style swimsuit (T-back bottom permitted but not mandatory).  This will be used for both the morning and night show. Foot attire is necessary and heals are commonly worn for both rounds.
 
 
Description of quarter turns:

Quarter Turn Right: Relaxed erect stance, head and eyes facing the same direction as the body, heels together, feet inclined outward at a 30deg angle, knees together and unbent, stomach in, chest out, shoulders back, left arm hanging relaxed and slightly back from the center-line of the body with a slight bend at the elbow, right arm hanging relaxed and slightly front of the cent! er-line of the body with a slight bend at the elbow.  The positioning of the arms will cause the upper body to twist slightly left with the left shoulder lowered and the right shoulder raised
 
 
Quarter Turn Back: Relaxed erect stance, head and eyes facing the same direction as the body, heels together, feet inclined outward at a 30deg angle, knees together and unbent, stomach in, chest out, shoulders back, both arms hanging relaxed and at the side along the center-line of the body, elbows slightly bent, tips of the fingers resting lightly on the hips.
 
 
Quarter Turn Right: Relaxed erect stance, head and eyes facing the same direction as the body, heels together, feet inclined outward at a 30deg angle, knees together and unbent, stomach in, chest out, shoulders back right arm hanging relaxed and slightly back from the center-line of the body with a slight bend at the elbow, left arm hanging relaxed and slightly front of the center-line ! of the body with a slight bend at the elbow.  The positioning of the arms will cause the upper body to twist slightly right with the right shoulder lowered and the left shoulder raised
 
 
Quarter Turn Front: Relaxed erect stance, head and eyes facing the same direction as the body, heels together, feet inclined outward at a 30deg angle, knees together and unbent, stomach in, chest out, shoulders back, both arms hanging relaxed and at the side along the center-line of the body, elbows slightly bent, tips of the fingers resting lightly on the hips.
 
 
Figure Walk: Competitors will start off stage to house music. Competitors will proceed to the center of the stage, pause, continue to the far end of the stage, pause, back to the center of the stage, pause, continue back to the entrance of the stage, pause and exit the stage.
 
 
 Judging Criteria

All competitors will be judged and compared on the following;

 1. Body shape - This is how the muscle groups are shaped. Judges will look for rounded muscle groups that are pleasing to the eye.  The condition of the skin and the skin tone and the athlete'ss ability to present herself with confidence, poise and grace.

 2. Symmetry - This is the balance of how all the muscle groups fit together.  Judges will look for harmony and proportion of the physique.  The body structure should have an equal ratio of torso to leg length, shoulders to hips etc. Harmony and proportion also include upper body to lower body development should be in parity and fit together.  Symmetry will be judged similar as that to a bodybuilding competition with the idea in mind that the judge will be looking for a Fitness Type physique not excessive large muscle groups.  The physique should be assessed as to its level of overall muscle tone, achieved through athletic endeavors.

 3. ! Muscle Tone – The muscle groups should have a round and firm appearance with a small amount of body fat. Judges will look for separations between major muscle groups (ex. biceps to triceps) but not striations in the muscle groups. The key word is "physically fit". Too much muscularity would take away from the "physically fit” look. Muscle tone also means absence of excessive fat and water with a sense of overall body hardness. Judges will also look for the even balance of muscle tone.

 4. Stage presence, Appearance, Charisma, Professionalism.