Artistic Rules

3.0 Rules for Artistic Unicycling

3.1 TYPES OF ARTISTIC EVENTS: There are two events for individual riders: Standard Skill and Individual Freestyle. In Standard Skill, riders demonstrate pure skill and mastery on a standard unicycle, by performing up to 18 skills they have pre-selected. Standard Skill judging is based only on the point value of the skills and quality of their execution, not the 'show.' In Freestyle, riders perform to music, with costumes, props and any kinds of unicycles. Riders are judged not only on skill, but also on how well they entertain and put on a show. In Pairs Freestyle, two riders perform together and are judged with an extra emphasis on teamwork and the qualities of a two-person performance. In Group Freestyle, groups of three or more riders are judged with an additional emphasis on the qualities of a multiple person performance.

3.2 AGE GROUPS FOR ARTISTIC: NOTE: Age groups for racing and age groups for artistic events are chosen separately, based upon the rider's skills and needs. The minimum allowable age groups are listed for each event. Convention hosts are free to add more age groups. Age group is determined by the rider's age on the first day of the convention. Junior Expert, if used, is open to all riders 0-14. Expert is open to riders of any age, including 0-14. Riders must state the age group in which they are entering for each artistic event in which they participate. Example: Riders who enter Individual Freestyle as Experts can enter Pairs in their age group if they wish. Riders are divided male/female in Standard Skill and Individual Freestyle, but not in Pairs or Group.

PROFESSIONALS: Professionals (see definition) must enter Freestyle events as Experts. Professionals age 14 or younger may enter Jr. Expert or Expert. This applies only to Individual and Pairs Freestyle.

3.3 INDIVIDUAL STANDARD SKILL:

MINIMUM AGE GROUPS: 0-14, 15-UP, Expert.

TIME LIMIT: Three minutes (all ages).

UNICYCLE: One standard unicycle only (see definition). There are no limitations on wheel or crank arm size.

MUSIC: All routines will be accompanied by background music. Music has no influence on the score. If a competitor wishes for a certain piece of music to be played during his or her performance it is up to him or her to provide a standard cassette tape. See also section 3.18.

COSTUME AND PROPS: Clothing has no influence on the score. Riders are encouraged to dress in the uniform of their national teams or clubs, or in clothing that represents their teams, groups or countries. No props.

JUDGING METHOD: Riders are judged only on the quality of execution of the skills they have chosen to perform. Each figure has a predetermined point value. Judges deduct points for mistakes, such as dismounts, poor form, performing figures out of order, etc.

SKILLS TO BE PERFORMED: Only skills found in the IUF Standard Skills List may be used. The proper methods for performing these skills is found in the 'Descriptions' section of this list. If illustrations of figures disagree with their descriptions, the descriptions apply.

3.4 INDIVIDUAL FREESTYLE:

MINIMUM AGE GROUPS: 0-14, 15-29, 30-UP, Expert. Unless the rider is a professional, the decision to enter as Expert or Jr. Expert is optional, but must be stated in advance.

TIME LIMITS: 2 minutes for riders 0-14 (except Jr. Expert), 3 minutes for all other age groups (except Expert). Jr. Expert has a maximum of 3 minutes and Expert has a maximum of 4 minutes.

UNICYCLES: Any type and any number.

MUSIC, COSTUME AND PROPS: All are judged, and must be considered in the performance. Check the rules of the specific convention for prop restrictions. Fire and sharp objects (i.e. juggling knives) are prohibited.

JUDGING METHOD: 50% of the score is based on level of Difficulty, which includes how well, or how successfully, all moves are performed. The other 50% of the score is for Presentation, which includes Style, Showmanship, Choreography, use of props and other skills, Originality, and Choice of costume and music.

3.5 PAIRS FREESTYLE:

MINIMUM AGE GROUPS: Age group (all ages), Expert. Each rider may enter only once. The age group of the older rider is the age group for the pair. Expert is treated as the "oldest" age group, followed by Jr. Expert, and then all other age groups. Unless one rider is a professional, the decision to enter as Expert or Jr. Expert (if used) is optional, but must be stated in advance.

TIME LIMITS: Same as Individual Freestyle.

UNICYCLES: Any type and any number.

MUSIC, COSTUME AND PROPS: Same as Individual Freestyle.

JUDGING METHOD: Same as Individual Freestyle, 50% for Difficulty, and 50% for Presentation. In Pairs, there is extra emphasis on teamwork, two person skills, etc. (see Judging Criteria).

3.6 GROUP FREESTYLE:

MINIMUM AGE GROUPS: None.

MINIMUM NUMBER OF RIDERS: Three. Each rider may enter Group Freestyle only once. A rider may appear in a second Group Freestyle performance with permission of the Chief Judge, to replace a rider due to illness, injury or other mishap.

TIME LIMIT: Six minutes.

UNICYCLES: Any type and any number.

MUSIC, COSTUME AND PROPS: Same as Individual Freestyle.

JUDGING METHOD: Same as Individual Freestyle. Extra emphasis on teamwork and multiple person skills, such as formation riding. Extra consideration will be given to account for widely different group sizes, relative skill levels, and relative ages of riders.

3.7 GROUP STANDARD SKILL:

This event is similar to Individual Standard Skill, but with four person teams of any sex, on standard unicycles only. Rules are published separately. This event is held at the discretion of the convention host.

GENERAL RULES: These rules apply to all artistic events, unless otherwise noted.

3.9 SIZE OF PERFORMING AREAS: For international competitions, the performing area must be 14m wide x 11m deep for all individual and pairs events. At smaller events, smaller sizes can be used, but no smaller than 12m wide x 9m deep. For group events, the performing area must be no smaller than 26m wide x 14m deep, and no larger than 30m wide x 20m deep. The boundaries of the areas must be clearly marked on the floor, with lines at least 3cm wide. The distance between the outer edges of the performing areas and walls, poles or other stationary objects must be no less than 50cm. Riders or groups who go outside the boundaries may get a reduced score (see Judging Criteria).

3.10 ORDER OF PERFORMANCE: The method of choosing performance order is up to the Artistic Director.

3.10.1 RIDERS MUST BE READY: Riders who are not ready at their scheduled performance time may or may not be allowed to perform after the last competitor in their age group. The Chief Judge will remember to consider language barriers, and that riders may be engaged in convention work to slow them down. Except for Standard Skill, a rider may not perform before a different set of judges than those that judged the rest of their age group.

3.11 PERFORMANCE SET-UP: Competitors are allowed a maximum of two minutes to set up their unicycles and props in the performing area. Competitors who take too long risk being disqualified. An extension of the set-up time can be given only by the Chief Judge and must be requested in advance. Competitors must show a legitimate need when requesting more time, such as numerous props or complicated special effects.

3.12 START OF PERFORMANCE: The judging, the stopwatch, and the 'performance' all start at the same time. The Timer starts the watch at the beginning of the music, or at a signal from competitors, whichever comes first. The signal can be a nod, wave, bow, verbal cue ("Start!") or any clearly understandable means. An acoustic signal (such as a whistle) will indicate that the timing and judging have started. Any non-unicycling activities such as dancing, posing, acrobatics, etc., must be included within the time limit of the routine to be judged. In Standard Skill routines, the end of each minute will also be indicated by an acoustic signal. In all Freestyle routines, an acoustic signal will indicate when there are 30 seconds left. In all artistic events, two acoustic signals or a different signal will indicate the end of the riding time and end of the judging.

3.13 RIDER'S NO-SIGNAL OPTION: (Freestyle events only) A rider may have a well-planned routine to music that he or she knows is under the time limit, and does not wish for the acoustic signals to detract from his or her performance. When riders sign up with the Rider Liaison they can request "No acoustic signals." This will eliminate the 'Start' signal, and the 30 second warning. The Timer will still keep the time, and if the rider exceeds the time limit, the Timer will make the 'double acoustic signal' to indicate the rider has run overtime. This does not apply to Standard Skill.

3.14 INTERRUPTION OF JUDGING: An interruption of judging can result from material damage, injury or sudden illness of a competitor, or interference with a competitor by a person or object. If this happens, the Chief Judge determines the amount of time left and whether any damage may be the fault of the competitor. Re-admittance into competition must happen within the regulatory competition time. If a routine is continued and the competitor was not at fault for the interruption, all devaluations coming forth from the interruption will be withdrawn.

3.15 END OF PERFORMANCE: The performance ends at a signal from the rider, such as a bow or "Thank you," or at the end of the time limit. An acoustic signal will indicate the end of the time limit. Any figures or performing that are done after the end of the time limit will not be judged. In Standard Skill, if the rider is in mid-figure, only the part of that figure that was executed before the time ended will be counted (see section 4.9.3). If the figure was less than 50% complete, a 100% devaluation will be given. If between 50% and 100% was completed, a 50% devaluation will be given. Any figures that have not been performed receive 100% devaluations. In Freestyle events, going over the time limit will reduce the rider's score. All time limits are maximums. Riders are free to use less time and will not lose points for doing so. A routine that is very short may suffer in points over a routine with more content. However, a routine that is boring, repetitive or 'padded' may lose points for being too long. The rider must decide what's best.

3.16 CLEAN-UP: In unicycling, a clean, dry riding surface is essential. After a performance, the riding area must be left the way it was before the performance. Riders and their helpers must clear all props, unicycles, and debris from the performing area within two minutes. The next rider may also be setting up during this time.

3.17 MESSY PERFORMING AREA: Riders who are thinking of using messy props in their performances must carefully consider the above rule. Popping balloons, dirt or powder, confetti, water, pies, etc. may take longer than two minutes to remove. Special permission must be received from the Chief Judge or Artistic Director before any such props are used. Competitors who make messes they are unable to remove may be disqualified from the event.

3.18 MUSIC: In Freestyle events, music is judged and competitors should use it. Background music will be supplied for Standard Skill riders, or they may provide their own. The music is not judged in Standard Skill. All recorded music must be on standard cassette tapes. Tapes must be clearly labeled with the performer's name, event and which side of the tape is to be played. They must be cued to the beginning of the performance music. Competitors are advised to have a spare copy of each of their music tapes, and to have the music for their performance(s) recorded at the beginning of the tape, not in the middle. Riders who turn in tapes that are not cued or are inadequately labeled, may have points reduced from their Presentation scores.

3.19 ANNOUNCING OF RESULTS: Final results will be continuously announced and/or posted for public view. Results Sheets will be posted after each age category of an event. The protest period begins at this point.

3.20 PROTESTS: Must be filed in writing, within 15 minutes from the posting of event results. Protest against judges' scores is not permissible. Protest is only possible against calculation mistakes or other mistakes not connected to the scoring. The Chief Judge must resolve all protests within 30 minutes from receipt of the written form.