2003 National Yo-Yo Contest: Yo-Yo Contest Rules

General Rules - Compulsories

For the 1A and 2A divisions, all compulsory tricks completed on the first attempt receive 5 points. If necessary, a successful second attempt receives 3 points.

For the 1A division, the yo-yo must return to the throwing hand unaided. This means that 'binds' of any kind will not be allowed.

For the Sport Ladders, one attempt per trick is allowed. One missed trick will be forgiven and the second miss retires the player. The score will be based on the highest completed trick with the highest first missed trick breaking ties.

A trick is complete when the string is fully wound around the axle and back in the hand. A yo-yo must be caught with one hand, the hand that originally threw the yo-yo, and not trapped against the body. More than five inches of string remaining outside the yo-yo when caught is considered a miss. No string misses or flipovers are allowed on any tricks.

A trick starts and finishes within the trick box. A player must keep feet planted unless the trick requires movement. If a players feet leave the trick box during a trick it is considered a miss.

A throw made within the trick box counts as an attempt. Outside the trick box a player may only toss a throwdown, spinner, forward pass, a single loop, a single hop the fence, or string adjustments (excluding UFO prior to attempting that trick). Practicing a contest trick outside the trick box during the judging session is considered a miss.

A player may adjust the yo-yo and string. An unintentional broken or knotted string may be replaced. A yo-yo may not be dismantled during the judging session.

A yo-yo must be able at all time to sleep a minimum of 3 seconds and a judge may request to test any yo-yo at any time.

Any yo-yo may be used. The same yo-yo must be used for all tricks. A judge has the discretion to allow a similar replacement yo-yo to be used if the original yo-yo is damaged.

Good sportsmanship is expected. Interfering with another contestant may be cause for disqualification.

A player in the finals who is not sure if their music is appropriate for a public competition should have it reviewed in advance of their performance.

An appeal must be discussed with the judge before the end of the judging session. No video challenges will be allowed.

A judges decision is final.

General Rules - Freestyles

Each contestant will have 3 minutes to perform a freestyle synchronized to his or her choice of music.

The timer starts when the music starts.

No positive points will be scored for tricks done before the music starts, or after the 3-minute mark. However, deduct points may be scored after the 3 minute mark.

All music must be considered appropriate for all audiences. Performers with inappropriate music (obscenities, offensive content, etc.) will be disqualified. If you are unsure about your music, a judge will be available to listen to your music and make sure it is appropriate.

Music must be provided on a queued Cassette, or CD (CD-R), or Mini-disc (check availability beforehand). MDLP, CD-RW, and DVD formats are not accepted. Music burned to CD-R should be in standard audio format - no compressed MP3, WMA or similar audio files will be accepeted.

Music must be clearly labeled as to the track to be used, and contestant's name.

Music must be in one track. Music extended over 2 tracks or over 2 media is not acceptable.

Music will be stopped between 3:00 and 3:01.

Music less than 3 minutes will be stopped after 1 track played.

If the music is stopped accidentally, the contestant may choose to continue his or her performance from the point that the music stopped or restart his or her performance at the end of the division.

All actions of a performer must take into account the safety of the audience, facility, and the player himself or herself. Judges have the ability at any time to disqualify a performer for behavior they deem dangerous or innappropriate.

While performing, only the contestant can be on stage.

Contestants can only use yo-yos or articles that are brought on the stage by him or herself. Contestants cannot use any yo-yos or articles passed to the stage by others.