Part 7
Freestyle: Standard Skill

7A  Overview

7A.1  Definition

In Standard Skill, riders demonstrate pure skill and mastery on a regular unicycle, by performing up to 18 skills they have preselected. Standard Skill judging is based on the point value of the skills and quality of their execution, not the ‘show.’

Group Standard Skill is similar to Individual Standard Skill, but with four person teams (comprised of men and/or women), on regular unicycles only. Rules are published separately. This event is held at the discretion of the convention host.

7A.2  Rider Summary

This section is intended as an overview of the rules, but does not substitute for the actual rules.

• No safety gear is needed.
• Only a single regular unicycle may be used.
• A judging sheet listing the skills you will perform must be turned in by the deadline.
• Riders need to be aware of the proper use of the floor markings in performing line, circle, and figure-eight skills.

7B  Competitor Rules

7B.1  Safety

No safety gear is needed.

7B.2  Unicycles

One regular unicycle only (see definition). No brakes or handlebars. There are no limitations on wheel or crank arm size.

7B.3  Rider Identification

No rider identification is required.

7B.4  Protests

Protests must be filed on an official form within 15 minutes of the posting of event results. Protest is only possible against mistakes in calculation or other mistakes not connected to a judge’s subjective score. The Chief Judge must resolve all protests within 30 minutes of receipt of the written form.

7B.5  The Skills List

7B.5.1  Skill Selection

Before competing in Standard Skill, each rider must fill out and turn in a judging sheet listing his or her routine. This list includes the number, name, and point value of each figure to be performed in the routine, in the order in which they will be ridden.

Only skills found in the IUF Standard Skill List may be used. The proper methods for performing these skills are found in the ‘Descriptions’ section of this list. If illustrations of figures disagree with their descriptions, the descriptions apply.

The maximum number of figures allowed is 18. Of those 18 figures, no more than 12 may be other than a riding skill. Skills with numbers 101 and higher are limited to a maximum of 12. If a rider only chooses 12 skills for the whole routine, it is allowed for all of these to be non-riding skills.

Note: Each figure number may appear only once on the judging sheet. This means that, for example, if a rider uses figure 15 b, the rider may not use 15 a, c, d, e, f, g, or h.

7B.5.2  Skill Order

The 18 figures must be performed in the exact same order as they appear on the judging sheet. Figures left out according to their order on the judging sheet will be devaluated 100%. This devaluation remains, even if the figure is performed later in the routine. Example: The skills on a judging sheet are: wheel walk, one-foot, idle, riding backwards. The rider does the wheel walk, skips the one-foot and idle, then performs the riding backwards, followed by the one-foot and the idle. The technical judge will mark both the 1-ft and idle with a 100% devaluation.

7B.5.3  Filling Out Judging Sheet

The completed judging sheet must be sent in before the deadline date set by competition organizers. When filling out the sheet, each figure name must be written out exactly as it appears on the Standard Skill List, with no further abbreviations. Figure numbers, letters, and point values must be included, and the total Difficulty score (total points for all figures in the routine) must be filled in. The judges have to check the judging sheets and, if possible in contact with the competitor, correct any mistakes. Any disadvantage resulting from filling out a judging sheet incorrectly will be at the competitor’s expense, and will not be valid grounds for protest. Judging sheets, once checked and approved for competition, cannot be changed.

7B.6  Event Flow

7B.6.1  Time Limits

Three minutes (all ages).

7B.6.2  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.

7B.6.3  Music

In Standard Skill music is not judged. But background music will be provided during all Standard Skill routines, or competitors may provide their own. Competitors may also, at their request, have no music played.

7B.6.4  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.

7B.6.5  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 or category. The Chief Judge will remember to consider language barriers, and that riders may be engaged in convention work to slow them down.

7B.6.6  Rider’s No-Signal Option

If a rider provides their own music and wants acoustic signals, they must indicate this when they sign up with the Rider Liaison. If a rider does not provide their own music, acoustic signals will automatically be used unless the rider requests “No acoustic signals” when signing up with the Rider Liaison. If no acoustic signals, there will not be a ‘Start’ signal or the 1-minute and 2-minute signals. In all situations, 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.

7B.6.7  Start Of Performance

The judging begins when the timer blows a one second whistle signifying the beginning of the three minute routine or when a predetermined piece of music begins; the stopwatch will begin timing immediately following the one second acoustic signal or music. The end of each minute will be indicated by acoustic signals. This may be made optional as described in section 7B.6.6. A final one-second acoustic signal will signify the completion of the three-minute allotment.

7B.6.8  Body Form

Unless otherwise noted, each figure must be performed with riders sitting up straight with their arms stretched and horizontal. Hands must be flat with palms down and fingers together. Arms do not have to be straight out to the sides. As long as arms are outstretched and horizontal, they may point in any direction.

7B.6.9  Dismounts

All dismounts must be controlled, including the dismount at the end of the routine. A controlled (intentional) dismount is where the rider comes to a stop and steps off the unicycle. Dismounts executed otherwise will be considered unintentional. A dismount occurs any time a rider touches the floor, except in skills where the rider is required to touch the floor, or when a foot on a pedal touches the floor. The rules demand that the rider dismounts in a sportsmanlike manner at the end of the routine. Failure to do so will result in a wave for insecure exit.

7B.6.10  Assisting Riders

At international events it is forbidden for a rider to get verbal assistance or helping gestures from a person outside the riding area, since this is interference with the rider by an outside person. At international events it is forbidden for a rider to use any props (including people) during the 3-minute routine. Any competitor caught getting assistance (verbal or nonverbal) or using props may be disqualified from the competition. Also, a rider may not look at the list of skills while performing the routine. This includes skills written on the competitor’s hand, a piece of paper or elsewhere. Each occurrence of a competitor looking at a skills list will result in a wave.

7B.6.11  Line Figure

Lines, circles and figure eights may be ridden in any direction. Line figures start outside the large (8 m) circle, cross the center circle, and continue outside the large circle. The rider must be in position for the figure before the hub crosses over the outside edge of the line. For seat drag figures where the seat is forward of the riding direction, the rider must be in position before the seat crosses the outside edge of the line. The line should be straight. Circles and figure eights can be started at any point, as long as the rider completes the figure by crossing over the starting point.

7B.6.12  Circle Figure

Circle figures are ridden in the area between the 4 m and 8 m circle lines. If the rider crosses the 4 m line while performing the figure, the circle must be restarted from the point where the rider re-crosses to the outside of the 4 m circle. Crossing the 8 m line does not invalidate the figure. Circle figures should be as round as possible.

7B.6.13  Figure Eight

The two circles making up the 8 should be the same size, and the orientation of the 8 can be in any direction. The rider must pass outside the 8 m circle on each end of the 8, and cross the center circle at the middle. The two halves of the figure 8 must be circular, with diameters of at least 4 m.

7B.6.14  Mounts, Transitions, Axis, Single And Counted Short Skills

These are all collectively called “non-riding skills”. May be performed anywhere in the riding area unless stated differently in the description.

7B.6.15  End Of Performance

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 7C.7.3). 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.

7C  Judges and Officials Rules

7C.1  Standard Skill Officials

The host must designate the following officials for Standard Skill:

• Standard Skill Director
• Chief Judge

7C.2  Training Officials

As the rules state, competitions cannot be started until all key artistic officials have been trained and understand their tasks. For Standard Skill events, the Chief Judge is in charge.

7C.3  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.

7C.4  Competitor and Judging Forms

If available to the organizers, a computer database should be used to generate forms for both the competitor and the judges, and then be used to calculate the scores. Either the Writing Judge Form or the traditional Standard Skill Form is required for judging. The other forms are suggested to help both the competitors and judges. Suggested forms are:

• Competitor Form: Skill Order, Figure number and letter, Description, Score, and Skill Definition.
• Standard Skill Form: Skill Order, Figure number and letter, Description, Score, and areas to mark 50/100% technical devaluations and the   / + 0 execution devaluations. An area at the bottom should be included to write in the names of the three judges. An area at the bottom should also be included to help in manual scoring of the routines.
• Writing Judge Form: Skill Order, Figure number and letter, Description, Score, and areas to mark 50/100% technical devaluations and the   / + 0 execution devaluations. An area at the bottom should be included to write in the names of the three judges.
• Difficulty Judge Form: Skill Order, Figure number and letter, Description, Score, Skill Definition, and area to mark 50/100% technical devaluations. The addition of the Skill Definition can help the judge if there is clarification needed for the correct execution of the skill.
• Execution Judge Form: Skill Order, Figure number and letter, Description, Score, and area to mark the   / + 0 execution devaluations.

All three judging forms should have gray shading to indicate the relative speed of the skills. No shading would indicate a slower skill (typically all riding skills), a light gray indicates skills that are quicker than the riding skills (most of the counted short skills), and a dark gray indicates skills that are very quick. This will help the judges estimate how quickly they must watch for new skills.

7C.5  Judging Panel

There will be 1 Chief Judge, 2 Difficulty Judges, 2 Execution Judges, 2 Writing Judges, and 1 Timer. The judging panel will be divided into two judging units, each consisting of one Difficulty, one Execution, and one Writing Judge. The judges will be appointed to the functions Writer, Execution, and Difficulty, respectively in order of their experience. At Unicons, all judges for the Expert groups must have previous Unicon judging experience.

7C.6  Operation Of The Judges

While the Difficulty and Execution Judges watch the routine, the Writing Judge reads the names of the figures from the list. The Difficulty Judge indicates if a skill was fully completed, or the reduction percentage if it was not. The Execution Judge indicates the execution mistakes using symbols, as described below. The Writer writes down the verbal remarks of both judges on the judging sheet. For this reason, the Writer is seated between the other two judges. The position of the judging table must be so that all judges have a clear view of the entire riding area. There must be enough space between the two judging units to ensure their working independently of each other.

A video of the performance may be reviewed if there are discrepancies in judge scores, or if a judge is in doubt about one or more of his/her scores. When time allows, video can be reviewed by approval of the Chief Judge. The Chief Judge should prearrange for routines to be recorded, but this is not a mandatory requirement.

Alternatively, to speed up the competition and judging, video cameras should be used to record the competition. There must be at least two cameras, one on each of the two corners. A third camera in the center is also good for a backup. The recordings should be downloaded to a computer in approximately groups of ten competitors. The judges will all be in a separate viewing area to watch the videos and make their scores.

7C.7  Difficulty Devaluations

7C.7.1  Skill Verification

Every figure on the judging sheet must be executed according to its description in the Standard Skill List. If a performed figure does not correspond with the entry on the judging sheet, 100% is devaluated.

7C.7.2  Technical Mistakes

If a technical mistake occurs during the execution of a skill, 50% is devaluated. Technical mistakes include but are not limited to the following:

• Part of body other than one hand touching seat in seat out skills
• Hand holding seat touching body in seat out skills
• Free foot touching rotating part of unicycle in one foot skills
• Legs not extended and/or toe not pointed for skills where the leg is quickly extended (including, but not limited to: wheel grab, crank idle kick, hop on wheel kick)

7C.7.3  Skill Completion

Every figure on the judging sheet must be performed as entered, from start to finish, without the rider touching the floor, except where required to by the figure description. This applies to all skills: riding skills (figures in lines, circles and 8’s), transitions, axis skills, single and counted short skills, and mounts.

Riding Skills, Repetitive Axis Skills, and Counted Short Skills: If a figure is broken off in the first half of its required execution, or performed for less than half of the required execution, 100% is devaluated. If a figure is broken off in the second half of the required execution, or performed for less than the required execution, 50% is devaluated.

Riding Skills: If a rider is not in position for a line figure before crossing the 8-meter circle, but is in position when crossing both 4-meter circle lines, 50% is devaluated (see figure 7C.1). If the rider is in position but only crosses one edge of the 4-meter circle, 100% is devaluated (see figure 7C.2).

Transitions and mounts: Must finish in the end position (one revolution, $2\frac{1}{2}$ hops, or $2\frac{1}{2}$ idles) or 100% is devaluated. If the end position for a mount is not defined, must perform one revolution, OR $2\frac{1}{2}$ hops, OR $2\frac{1}{2}$ idles before stepping off the unicycle.

Axis skills: If the end position for a axis skill is not defined, must perform one revolution before stepping off the unicycle. The ending position is not required to be the same as the starting position.

Single Short Skills: Unless otherwise defined in the skill description, the ending position is the same as the starting position. Must finish in the end position (one revolution, $2\frac{1}{2}$ hops, or $2\frac{1}{2}$ idles) or 100% is devaluated. If the start and end position for a single short skill is not defined, must perform one revolution, $2\frac{1}{2}$ hops, OR $2\frac{1}{2}$ idles before stepping off the unicycle.

7C.7.4  Start Of Figures

All figures start when the rider gets into the position required for that figure.

7C.7.5  Figure Order

Figures left out according to their order on the judging sheet are devaluated 100%. This devaluation remains, even if the figure is performed afterward.

7C.7.6  Figure Patterns

Riding figures that the rider doesn’t attempt to be ridden as described in section 7D.1.2 should receive 100% devaluation.

Example: The line figure is described as “…start outside the large (8m) circle, cross the center circle, and continue outside the large circle”. If the rider does not attempt to cross the center circle and performs the line circle completely outside the 4m circle, then 100% is devaluated.

7C.8  Execution Devaluations

7C.8.1  Wave (~) = -0.5 Point

A wave is scored once per skill for each of the following execution mistakes listed below. More than one wave can be applied to each skill, but if a rider makes the same mistake twice during one skill, they should only receive one wave.

Example: During wheel walking, a rider may have jerky body movements and fingers not together at the beginning: two waves should be applied. If the rider then smoothly wheel walks for a while and then has jerky body movements again, a third wave should not be applied.

• insecure entrance or exit
• cramped, insecure execution
• jerky body movements
• not sitting up straight
• fingers not together
• free leg not stretched, toes not pointed
• waving arms
• jerky pedal movement
• line not straight
• circle not round
• crossing the 4 m circle when performing a skill in a circle
• failure to cross center circle in line or figure 8
• circles of figure 8 not the same size
• pedal, or foot on pedal touching floor
• wandering spin or pirouette
• circle size exceeds 1 meter diameter in a spin
• going outside riding area boundary
• looking at the standard skill order
• arms not stretched
• arms not horizontal
• palms not down
• arms touching the body during seat out skills

7C.8.2  Line (/) = – 1 Point

A line is scored every time loss of control occurs. Loss of control includes:

• loss of proper body form
• breaking off and restarting a skill
• loss of proper body form before or after transitions

7C.8.3  Cross (+) = – 2 Points

A cross is scored each time an unintentional dismount occurs with the competitor landing on his or her feet without the unicycle being dropped.

7C.8.4  Circle (0) = – 3 Points

A circle is scored each time an unintentional dismount occurs with a part of the rider other than his or her feet touching the floor (hand, knee, rear, etc.) or with the unicycle being dropped. Seat drag skills only have this score applied if a part of the rider other than the feet touches the floor.

7C.8.5  Applying Lines, Circles, Crosses

Lines, circles and crosses are scored every time they occur during and between all skills, whether entered on the score sheet or not. Only the highest applicable devaluation symbol shall be imposed per execution mistake. Most waves are not scored if they occur between skills listed on the judging sheet. Waves can only be scored between skills if they are unrelated to body form.

Example: A competitor will not get a wave if the competitor’s arms are not in proper form between skills listed on the judging sheet, but a competitor will get a wave for exceeding the riding area boundary.

7C.9  Totaling Scores

After the routine is finished, the percentages and symbols from the judges are converted into numbers. These numbers are subtracted from the rider’s starting score. Then, the scores of the two judging units are added together and divided by two to get the finishing score of a competitor. The winner in the Standard Skill event is the competitor with the highest score. If more than one competitor have the same score, placing is decided by the highest Execution score. If those scores are also the same, the competitors receive tie scores.

7D  Event Organizer Rules

7D.1  Venue

These are the guidelines by which Standard Skill competition is to be executed. At times, however, situations may occur in which the regulations cannot be followed exactly. This applies to minor details; not to principal rules. For instance, if the size of the available accommodation would cause the size of the riding area to be slightly smaller than required, that can be approved by a majority vote of the judging panel. Whatever differences from the rules are approved must be made known to all participants before competition. Any situation that may occur for which the rules do not provide a solution, shall be solved by the Chief Judge or by a majority vote in a meeting chaired by the Chief Judge, at which all judges active in the concerned event must be present.

7D.1.1  Floor, Markings And Figure Shapes

See diagram. The riding surface must allow flawless riding. The riding area must be sufficiently illuminated. An IUF representative will inspect the area to make sure it conforms to the requirements, and declare it ridable. The surface of the riding floor must be clean, level, smooth and shall not be slippery. Competition can be held on a floor that has not been declared ridable by the panel, but the results of such competition may not be officially recognized by the IUF, after investigation by the IUF rules committee.

7D.1.2  Riding Area Boundaries

For international competitions, the outer boundaries must be 11 x 14 meters. For other competitions, if space does not permit, the size may be smaller but will be no less than 9 x 12 meters. All lines must be at least 3 cm wide and clearly marked, including the outer boundaries.

1. Center circle (50 cm diameter)
2. Long edge of riding area (faces judges)
3. Short edge of riding area
4. Inner circle (4 m diameter) for circle figures
5. Outer circle (8 m diameter) for line and figure eights.
6. Quarter and diagonal circle marks (length 1m) on the 4 m and 8 m circles. Diagonals marked by going from corner to corner of the riding boundary.

7D.2  Officials

The host must designate the following officials for Standard Skill:

• Artistic Director
• Chief Judge

7D.3  Communication

7D.3.1  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.

7D.4  Age Groups

1. Scoring will be based on age groups in accordance with rule 1C.8.

7D.5  Media Types

The host is required to have the capability of playing recorded CDs. Other media types may also be supported, at the host’s discretion. The Artistic Director is responsible for announcing what media types will be supported, and making sure the necessary equipment is provided.

7D.6  Music Volume

Volume level is controlled by the DJ, at instructions from the Chief Judge. For Standard Skill, volume level should not be loud enough to interfere with judge communication, but otherwise similar to the level for Artistic Freestyle. Some competitors’ music may start with especially loud or quiet sections, and the DJ should be advised of these so volume levels do not get compensated in the wrong direction. Some competitors may request that their music be played at lower levels. These requests can be made directly to the DJ. Requests for higher volumes must be approved by the Chief Judge, who has the option of passing this responsibility to the DJ.

7E  List of Standard Skills

7E.1  General Remarks About Standard Skill Riding

Only figures listed in the following skills list can be used for the assembly of Standard Skill routines.

7E.1.1  Riding Position

Unless stated differently in a figure description, it is to be executed with the rider seated and with both feet on the pedals.

7E.1.2  Body Form

The rider must show proper body form and shall not change this form during the execution of the entire figure. Proper body form must also be shown for the figure before and after transitions, even if not listed on the judging sheet. The body form may be relaxed when not performing figures, except for figures before and after transitions.

7E.1.3  Riding Direction

Unless stated differently, all riding figures are to be performed riding forward, this being the direction in which the rider faces.

7E.1.4  Pattern

Unless stated differently in a figure description, it is to be executed in a line. Exceptions are mounts, stationary skills and transitions, axis skills, single and counted short skills, which can be executed at any spot in the riding area.

7E.1.5  Transitions, And Single Short Skills

Unless stated differently in the description of a transition, it starts and ends with the rider seated with both feet on the pedals. Before and after transitions, and single short skills entered on the score sheet as figures, at least one revolution of the wheel must be ridden in the start and end positions. If the start or end position of a transition or single short skill is a counted short skill, that skill must be executed at least 50% as described, whether or not it is listed on the judging sheet.

Example 1: For the transition “Riding to Seat in Front”, the rider must ride at least one full revolution of the wheel with the seat in front.

Example 2: For the single short skill, 180${}^{\circ }$ uni spin to idling 1ft, the rider must idle one foot $2\frac{1}{2}$ cycles.

7E.1.6  Axis Skills

Unless stated differently in the description, it starts and ends with the rider seated with both feet on the pedals. Before axis skills entered on the score sheet as figures, at least one revolution of the wheel must be ridden in the start position. After axis skills, at least one revolution of the wheel must be ridden. The ending position is not required to be the same as the starting position.

7E.1.7  Mounts

Unless stated differently in the description of a mount, it is to end with the rider seated with both feet on the pedals. After all mounts listed on the judging sheet as figures, at least one full revolution of the wheel must be ridden in the end position. For mounts ending in counted short skills, the skill must be executed at least 50% as described, whether or not it is listed on the judging sheet.

Example: For the Side Mount, the rider must ride at least one full revolution of the wheel in the riding position after mounting.

7E.1.8  Seat Out Figures

Unless stated differently in seat out figures, the rider shall have no contact with the seat other than one hand holding the seat. The hand holding the seat as well as the corresponding arm shall be extended away from the rider’s body and shall not touch any part of the rider’s body.

7E.1.9  One Foot Figures

Unless stated differently in one foot figures, the free foot is to be placed on the frame so that there is no contact between the free foot and any rotating part of the unicycle.

7E.1.10  Wheel Walk Figures

Unless stated differently in wheel walk figures, the feet are to push only the tire, and shall have no contact with the pedals or crank arms.

7E.1.11  Coasting

Unless stated differently in coasting figures, coasting is as defined in chapter 1D.1.

7E.1.12  Transitions, Single Short Skills, Mounts Involving Seat Out Skills

Unless stated differently in the description of the figure, those beginning or ending in seat out skills are allowed to have one or both hands touching the seat, and the seat touching the body for the final or first hop, idle, or revolution. This includes, but is not limited to: unispins to seat out skills, transitions into and out of seat in front or back, leg around skills, side ride to seat in front, transitions out of seat drag in front or back, hopping wheel to pedals.

7E.1.13  Transitions To/From Stand Up Wheel Walk

In all transition skills from/to stand up wheel walk position, a second foot may briefly touch the wheel during the transition, but only one foot pushes the wheel forward. Unless clearly stated in the description, the rider must perform stand up wheel walk forward.

7E.1.14  Spins And Pirouettes

The rider must make a minimum of three full rotations for spins and pirouettes. Spins must be ridden around a fixed point and must not exceed a 1 meter diameter. If rider rotates more than required minimum number, the last required rotations are judged for spins. Pirouettes must be executed on 1 spot and the pedals may not move backward or forward during the pirouette. If rider rotates more than required minimum number, the first required rotations are judged for pirouettes.

7E.1.15  Leg Around Skills

All variations may begin or end with feet on the cranks or pedals and begin or end either riding, idling, or hopping unless otherwise specified.

7E.1.16  Idling Figures

In idling figures, a minimum of 5 consecutive cycles (back and forth motions) must be executed.

7E.1.17  Twisting Figures

In twisting figures, a minimum of 5 consecutive cycles (side to side motions) must be executed.

7E.1.18  Stillstands

The minimum time for stillstands is 3 seconds.

7E.1.19  Hopping Figures

In hopping figures, a minimum of 5 consecutive hops must be executed.

7E.2  Standard Skill Scores and Descriptions

Due to the length of this list, it is not included in the IUF Rulebook by default.

The full list of Standard Skills is available on the IUF website, under Publications: Other Guidelines: https://unicycling.org/publications/.