General Rules and Definitions

Flags of all nations at UNICON VII in Minneapolis, 1994

1.0 General Rules and Definitions

This Rulebook is intended to govern all unicycling competition sanctioned by the International Unicycling Federation, and can be used as a guideline for other competitions. There are three main sections: General Rules, Racing Rules, and Artistic Rules. The charts and forms that implement these rules are published separately. The IUF also maintains official rules for unicycle basketball, hockey and other sports.

1.1 THESE ARE OFFICIAL IUF RULES: All IUF UNICONs (International Unicycling Conventions) must abide exclusively by these rules. Further rules may be added to cover specific situations, but they may not override the IUF rules without prior approval by the IUF Board of Directors. All additional rules must be published well in advance of international competition, and preferably included on the registration form.

National or local unicycling bodies may have their own rules, and use IUF rules in full or in part. In national or local competitions, the rules of those organizations will apply.

1.1.1 UPDATING THIS RULEBOOK: The IUF Rulebook should be updated after every UNICON. The IUF Rulebook Chairperson will head the committee, but, may optionally name a sub-committee. The outgoing Chief Judge could be, but does not have to be, the Chairperson. The host of the next UNICON will be included in this Committee. Our official judges will make excellent Committee members.

The Committee will officially start meeting at the close of the UNICON, though the Chairperson can open it before, to take advantage of having so many persons physically together. The Committee should finish their business and make their specific proposals within three (3) months of the close of the UNICON. If they need more time, they may ask the IUF President for a time extension. This is meant to be the only time that changes to the Rulebook are made, although exceptions are possible in extraordinary cases. The IUF President is responsible for making sure that the IUF Rulebook committee stays focused and on schedule.

1.2 HOST'S OPTION: The convention host is free to add events, age groups or variations that do not appear here, as long as there is no conflict with the existing IUF rules. When in doubt, contact the IUF Rules Committee.

1.2.1 COMBINING AGE GROUPS: The convention host has the option of combining age groups. This means that published age groups are not guaranteed. This can be done on a per-event basis. Racing is considered one event and all standard races should have the same division of ages. The host must publicize and detail the age group combining method they have chosen, if any, as far in advance of the convention as possible. When combined, riders aged 18 and under would move up to the next older group. Riders over 18 would move down to the next younger group. If several age groups consecutively are collapsed, it might lead to riders of vastly different ages competing against each other. This problem should be taken into consideration.

Example of an age group collapsing strategy: For age groups with less than five riders, the host will combine those riders into the next nearest age group.

1.3 NOTIFICATION: The dates of the upcoming convention must be made available to IUF officials and publishers of unicycling information (and all other interested forms of media) at the earliest possible date. For UNICONs, a registration form should be prepared and supplied by January 15 of the year of the convention. A list of all events to be held, including all rules pertinent to quality training, must be published in advance.

1.4 PUBLISHING RULES: For each convention, an additional "amendment" to this rulebook may be needed to explain items such as specific races, additional events, additional age groups, etc. All information should be included in the publishing of registration forms.

1.5 NAMES AND TERMINOLOGY: The proper names and terminology for our sport and events must be used in all advertising and publicizing. "UNICON" is a generic word meaning "Unicycling Convention," and is associated with our World Championship events, but is not a good word to use for the general public. A convention can have a long, multiple name that says it all. For example, UNICON III was called: "The 10th Annual All Japan Unicycle Meet, and Refreshing Third International Unicycling Championships, Tokyo Convention." "Refreshing" pertaining to a soft drink company that was a major sponsor. The terminology and event names used to promote our conventions must be kept accurate, to facilitate better understanding of what events are offered. The specific artistic event names are Individual Freestyle, Pairs Freestyle , Group Freestyle and Standard Skill. Variations of these names should not be used.

1.6 RECORD KEEPING: At the conclusion of a UNICON or other international event, or within one month thereafter, the convention host must supply the IUF, or an appointed representative, with a list of the results of that convention. This list will include the number of registered riders, all race results and times, all artistic results, scores for all Standard Skill participants, and final scores for all team sports such as hockey and basketball. Copies of judging sheets, protest forms, and any related paperwork must also be made available upon request, for up to one year after the convention. If the convention host wishes to discard this paperwork, it should be turned over to the IUF (or appointed representative), but not thrown away. Host must remember that each of our unicycling events is a piece of history, and there is much to be learned from the results of our competitions.

1.7 REGISTRATION FORMS: With Expert and possibly Jr. Expert groups for some artistic events, and separate Expert groups for certain races, riders may enter different events in different age groups. A properly structured registration form is essential for making these choices clear to the participants. For example, a rider may enter Pairs as an Expert with an older rider, but may wish to compete in individual artistic events in his or her own age group. Before publishing, a UNICON registration form should be examined and approved by a member of the IUF Rules Committee or Board of Directors. No rider may enter any event until his or her registration form has been completed, including signing of the release. No minor may compete until his or her release has been signed by a parent or legal guardian.

1.8 PROGRAM BOOK: Should be provided to all registrants, containing full schedule of all events, maps and directions to all event locations, and as much rule and background information as possible. This type of Program Book makes excellent reading for spectators, and gets them more involved in our sport. Local merchants and sponsors can advertise in the Program Book for a fee as a source for convention revenue.

RACING FACILITIES:

1.9 TRACK: A track must be made available for conducting the track races. The track must be marked in meters, and should be prepared in advance with start and finish lines for the various racing events that are unique to unicycle racing (such as 50, 30, 10 and 5 meter lines). A person who is familiar with all the local track markings must be available. In addition to the track, a smooth area of sufficient size must be set aside to run the official Obstacle Course (and Slow Races, if held). A public address system must be provided to announce upcoming events and race winners. Bullhorns are usually not adequate for the track environment.

1.10 WEATHER: If the track is outdoors, plans must be made to deal with inclement weather. Using an indoor track can eliminate this problem. The track must be available for both days, in case of inclement weather.

INDOOR EVENTS FACILITIES:

1.11 ARTISTIC RIDING AREAS: Traditionally a gymnasium is used. Artistic competitions can also be held in an auditorium, if the stage is large enough. If this is done, a gym must also be available for practice, and possibly for group competition. Gymnasiums used for competition should have enough room to set up two Individual and Pairs performing areas side by side. There must also be enough room for judges and spectators. Seating must be provided for spectators, and a practice area must be provided for riders. Ideally, this practice area would be in a separate gym. The practice area cannot be outdoors. In the event of rain, riders would have no place to warm up and exchange skills. If necessary, the practice area can be behind a curtain in the competition gym, or behind the spectator seating. Neither of these solutions is as desirable, due to the distraction that is unavoidably caused by riders using these areas.

The gym or riding surface must be marked with the boundaries of all riding areas. In some facilities black tires, metal pedals, wooden hockey sticks, etc. might not be allowed. Make sure the participants are informed of this in advance. All performing and practice areas must be in well-lit places that are protected from the weather.

It is very important that a good quality public address system be available for announcements, and to play competition music. A cassette tape player and a backup tape player in case of a breakdown, must be provided.

1.12 MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT: The Host must supply all necessary materials and equipment to run the competitions, including stopwatches, starting posts and cones for the Obstacle Course. Don't forget the more obvious things, such as paper and writing materials, judging tables, basketballs, hockey sticks, etc.

1.13 TRAINING OFFICIALS: As the rules state, competitions cannot be started until all key track and artistic officials have been trained and understand their tasks. For Racing, the Referee is in charge of making sure this happens. For Artistic events, the Chief Judge is in charge. Make sure there are plenty of copies of the rulebook for officials to study on the spot. Testing can consist of a simple verbal quiz, or anything the Referee or Chief judge deem appropriate. For certain artistic events, a minimum level of judging experience is required. See section 5.6.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANTS:

1.14 RACING: Riders must use unicycles that conform to the definitions and dimensions for racing unicycles. Riders must have kneepads, gloves and shoes that meet the definitions below, and helmets for certain events.

1.15 ARTISTIC: Any performance music must be recorded on a standard cassette tape, as described in section 3.18.

1.16 PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY: All minors must be supervised by a parent, guardian or other designated person. All attendees should remember that they are guests of the convention hosts, and ambassadors of our sport to all new riders, visitors from far away, and to people in the hosting town. Remember that the Host is renting the convention facilities, and attendees are expected to treat them well. Each rider is responsible for the actions of his or her family and non-riding teammates. Riders may lose placement in races, risk disqualification from events, or be ejected from the convention if they do not work to minimize disruptions from these people.

1.17 KNOWING THE RULES: Lack of understanding of rules will be at the disadvantage of riders, not officials or the IUF. The IUF is also not responsible for any errors that may occur in the translation of rules and information into languages other than those in which they were originally written.

1.18 YOUR PRIVILEGE: Entry in the competition is your privilege, not your right. You are a guest at the Host's event. You may be in an unfamiliar country, with different customs that are considered the norm. The Host and convention officials determine whether certain events, age groups, or policies will be used. As an attendee, you are obligated to obey all rules and decisions of convention officials and hosts.

1.19 DEFINITIONS:

EXPERT: A competition category that is open to all riders regardless of age. There are male and female Expert groups for individual and pairs artistic events. For racing, riders enter in their age group, except in the 1500m, and possibly other long races. For these events, riders may choose either to ride with their age groups, or as Experts.

FIGURE: (noun) 1. A unicycle feat or skill, such as walking the wheel or riding backward, used to describe skills in the Standard Skill event. 2. A riding pattern, such as a circle or figure 8.

FOOTWEAR FOR RACING: Shoes with full uppers are required. This means the shoe must cover the entire top of the foot. Sandals or thongs are not acceptable. Shoelaces must not dangle where they can catch in crank arms.

GLOVES: (For racing) Any glove with thick material covering the palms (Leather is acceptable, thin nylon is not). Gloves may be fingerless, such as bicycling gloves, provided the palm of the hand is completely covered. Wrist guards, such as those used with in-line skates, are an acceptable alternative to gloves.

HELMET: Helmets are mandatory for Fast Backward and certain other non-traditional races. They are recommended for all races. Helmets must be of bicycle quality (or stronger), meeting ANSI, SNELL or ASTM standards for safety. No leather 'hair nets' or helmets designed for low speed sports (football, hockey, etc.) can be used.

IUF: International Unicycling Federation. The IUF sponsors and oversees international competitions such as UNICON, creates rules for international competition, and promotes and provides information on unicycling in general.

JUNIOR EXPERT: For Individual and Pairs Freestyle, any rider age 0-14. Very talented 0-14 riders may enter Expert instead, and compete among the very best riders.

KNEEPADS: (For racing) Any commercially made, thick version is acceptable, such as those used for basketball and volleyball, or any with hard plastic caps. Kneepads must cover the entire knee and stay on during racing. Long pants, ace bandages, patches on knees and band-aids are not acceptable.

NON-UNICYCLE: Applies to �Difficulty� category of Freestyle judging. Anything shown in a Freestyle performance that is not a unicycling skill (see definition). See also section 5.1.2.

PROFESSIONAL: A person who has, within the year previous to the convention, made 50% or more of his or her income from unicycling performances, or from performing which involved unicycling as more than a minor prop.

PROP: Almost anything other than the unicycle(s) being ridden by competitor(s) in a Freestyle performance. A unicycle being used for a non-unicycling skill (such as a handstand on it while it's lying down) is a prop at that moment. A hat that is dropped and picked up from the floor is a prop. A pogo stick or a tricycle (unless ridden on one wheel) is a prop.

STANDARD UNICYCLE: Has only one wheel, is driven by crank arms directly attached to the axle, and has no additional devices to support it. For racing, standard unicycles have limitations on maximum wheel size and minimum crank arm length. For Standard Skill, there are no size limitations.

ULTIMATE WHEEL: A special unicycle consisting of only a wheel and pedals, with no frame or seat.

UMX: Unicycle Motocross. A cross-country or all-terrain race that may include grass, dirt, curbs, or any surface.

UNICYCLING SKILL: (noun) Also known as 'figure.' Any skills (feats of balance) performed on a vehicle with one support point in contact with the riding surface, this being a wheel, the movement of which is controlled by the rider, thus maintaining balance. All mounts are also 'unicycling skills.' See also section 5.1.1.

UNINTENTIONAL DISMOUNT: In most cases, any part of a rider unintentionally touching the ground. For example, a fingertip on the floor while spinning is not unintentional. A pedal and foot touching the ground in a sharp turn is not a dismount as long as the foot stays on the pedal while the pedal is on the ground. Dismounts during most races disqualify the rider.

UNICON: Unicycling Convention. This word usually refers to the IUF World Unicycling Championships conventions.

WHEEL WALKING: Propelling the unicycle by pushing the top of the tire with the feet. Feet touch wheel only, not pedals or crank arms. A non-pushing foot may rest on the fork.