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Rules
MUSCLE MASS
It must
be remembered that, first & foremost, a physique contest is a Bodybuilding contest. Contestants must exhibit a degree of muscular development which will naturally vary according to the class being judged. Obviously, one would not expect a Teenage competitor to exhibit the mass of an Open class competitor.
Muscular size will vary between Male & Female competitors.
However, when making comparisons within a class, muscle mass & size plays an important part with the more advanced muscularity scoring higher points.
SEPARATION
This factor must be considered in conjunction with muscle mass. Separation is the delineation between the muscle
groups of the physique. Excess subcutaneous fatty tissue under the skin blurs this muscular division resulting in a smooth appearance which detracts from muscular mass.
A good physique must have muscular mass which is complemented by sharp muscular separation rather than being flawed by being too smooth
DEFINITION
This must not be confused with separation. Definition is the display of the individual muscles & muscle fibers taken to
a wish degree (often referred to as 'ripped' or 'shredded').
A physique that has good muscle mass, separation & definition must be scored highly. However, definition that is taken to the point of emaciation, will only reduce mass & fullness can not be judged so highly.
Definition should be only to show clean muscle mass, otherwise the muscles appear stringy & flat.
SYMMETRY
A key
ingredient in a winning physique & one that owes it's qualities mainly to the genetic component of the competitor. Wide shoulders, narrow hips, trim waist & a deep rib-cage are genetically endowed qualities on which a championship physique can be built.
Faults such as knock-knees, bowed legs, rounded shoulders
or any curvature of the spine, whilst unfortunate, are to be scored down during the symmetry round.
PROPORTION
This must not be confused with symmetry, although a proportionate physique owes much to it being symmetrical in the first place.
A proportionate physique is one that has no overall development in which each individual bodypart complements
the others in both size & shape. The upper body should not be developed to the extent that it overpowers the lower body & vice-versa.
All bodyparts should flow in harmony with no bodypart being over developed to the detriment of the others. Right & left sides should be equally developed, so as to not exhibit no readily observable differences in size. Adjoining muscle groups should
enhance each other rather than detract.
These qualities; Muscle Mass, Separation, Definition, Symmetry & Proportion, are the major considerations when assessing any physique, but must be viewed in conjunction with some rather less important, (but not trivial) considerations which can enhance or detract from the major qualities mentioned.
CONTEST PREPARATION
The way a competitor prepares
for a competition can often mean the difference between placing & not placing. No TAN or a hastily applied patchy tan can detract from an otherwise pleasing physique to the degree that, when compared with a similar physique with a good even tan, it is placed lower. A good even tan highlights a physique, whereas a pale tone tends to emphasise lack of definition & separation.
The
same point can be made to the application of POSING OIL. Over use of oil tends to reflect light & smooth out rather than enhance definition. Oil smeared onto posing trunks gives a scruffy, untidy look which also should not bar an obviously winning physique from taking it's due
place but should be used with care when assessing physiques that are in close or even contention.
Personal grooming such as untidy HAIR, can also be viewed in this context.
CONTEST PRESENTATION
This is another area in which the judges should pay close attention. The competitors should present themselves to the best of their ability at all times. They should be able to perform the compulsory poses perfectly on request, and follow the instructions of the Chief Judge without question. His optional
posing routine should flow smoothly, & to the required time allotment.
However, Judges should always remember that they are judging a Bodybuilding competition, not a posing contest, & that a poorer display by a better physique should not place lower than a better display by a poorer physique. However, if physiques are very close in the judges estimation, points
scored by superior presentation may elevate one over the other.
SKIN BLEMISHES
Tattoos, Acne, Scars & other blemishes should only be taken into consideration if judging is close. Extensive tattooing, such as some ethnic tattoos definitely detract from the aesthetic value of the physique & should be judged accordingly.
COMPARISONS
The importance of comparisons cannot be over emphasised. The comparisons will assist the judges in deciding
which competitor has the superior physique, from the aspects of the judging criteria as presented on the day.
COMPETITION FORMAT
ROUND ONE: Compulsory Posing Round
This is the judges first opportunity to view the competitor on stage, as they are taken through a series of "compulsory poses". These poses are designed to allow the Judge to view development of every muscle from different angles, thus ensuring the individual judge has a good basis for "callouts" (competitor comparisons).
After
the competitors have completed these poses as a group, each individual judge has an opportunity to call out only the competitors he wishes to view in further comparison. If any judge still is unsure of their placing, they can then utilise these additional comparisons to finalise their scoring for this round.
ROUND TWO: Symmetry Round
All competitors appear in numerical order in one line across the stage (when there are large number of competitors, again the Chief Judge may choose to dissect the line into two or three sections to allow clearer vision of the competitors
by the Judges). The line is then taken through a series of quarter turns.
In this round the competitors will be closely scrutinised for any genetic, structural or proportional defects that could affect their placing and are scored accordingly.
NOTE: In many cases it will be obvious in any line up, that there are competitors who will not place, and those that are in contention. The experienced Judge will note these & devote most of their attention to the higher standard competitors, while not entirely dismissing the others.
ROUND THREE: Individual Free Posing Round
In this round
each contestant performs their own posing routine to their own selected music. There is a time limit of 60 seconds maximum for both male & female competitors.
The judge should look for a routine which compliments and enhances the physique of the competitor, showing their better features whilst disguising the weaker ones. The competitor should have an empathy with the music selected, using movements in time to the music without jerking or uncoordinated moves.
Attention
should be directed to the overall presentation of each competitor with details of untidy, or inappropriate, appearance or attire noted (Refer to Backstage Marshalling chapter below). The competitors have worked long & hard for this moment and each Judge owes it to them to make a firm decision at this time.
BACKSTAGE
This section covers the role of the Backstage Officials, competitors and competitors attire. The backstage area is the busiest area at competition time. The role of these officials is vast, and of very high importance. They are required to;
1. Check
that all competitors are present to be judged with their allocated class.
2. Have the correct attire, with competitor number attached to their LEFT side of their posing costume at the waist.
3. Ensure the competitor is not wearing excessive jewelry, ie:
a; RINGS must be removed (Wedding Rings may be covered with a sticking bandage)
b; EARRINGS must
be removed during pre-judging (Women may wear sleeper earrings)
c; HAIR may be tied back or up with "non-reflective" hair ties or combs (Women should tie their hair away from the upper back during pre-judging)
d; POSING COSTUMES should be of a solid non-reflective colour & should adequately cover the private areas, whilst allowing the rest of the physique to be viewed correctly
e; FOOTWEAR the men do not wear any. The women bodybuilders do not wear any. The figure competitors are required to wear High-Heeled shoes during the pre-judging (Bikini Rounds 1& 2 but not Round 3)
PROPS are permitted to be used by the Figure Competitors during the
Final Presentation to add Creativity to their Free Posing Routine.
The Backstage Officials should also be keeping a close observation on all competitors for initial signs of potential collapse, owing to severe dehydration prior to a contest. As the Official is the nearest to the on-stage & backstage activities, he must be aware of these possibilities & be prepared to act QUICKLY. The judging panel must also be alert to these possibilities.
The Officials should also RESTRICT the competitors assistants ie; oilers & pump-up "helpers" to one person only. Otherwise it simply becomes over-crowded & delays the progression of the contest. As you can see, the Backstage Officials job is also highly important, and often
necessary.
Judging Women's Classes
The Judging Criteria for Women is not as simple as you might expect, so read this section carefully!
The judging of the Woman's "Bodybuilding" class should be conducted using the same principles as the Men's classes, although ensuring that the competitors still maintain the sleek Feminine lines expected of the Female athlete.
Muscularity, Symmetry & Proportion are all significant attributes * should be regarded in the same manner in a Female physique as in a Males.
The criteria in the Women's "Figure"
class differs from the "Bodybuilding" class in that
Symmetry & Proportion attract MORE significance
than Muscularity.
A firm, toned, "Feminine" physique is called for although there should be some degree of Muscularity & Muscular Separation, it should not
approximate that level of muscularity displayed in the "Bodybuilding" classes. Presentation & Development take an increased importance as these qualities enhance the Feminine aspect of the competitors physique.
Compulsory poses for the "Figure" class differ from
the "Bodybuilding" classes.
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