Part 9
Urban: Flatland
9A Overview
9A.1 Definition
Flatland is a skills competition where riders perform tricks on a flat surface. The competition consists of preliminary rounds, followed by a battle-style final.
9B Competitor Rules
9B.1 Safety
Riders must wear shoes, no additional safety equipment is needed.
9B.2 Unicycles
Any number of regular unicycles (see definitions in chapter 1D.1) may be used.
9B.3 Rider Identification
No rider identification is required.
9B.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.
9B.5 Results
Final results will be continuously announced and/or posted for public view. Results sheets will be posted after each category of an event. The protest period begins at this point.
9B.6 Event Flow
9B.6.1 Riders Must Be Ready
The Chief Judge chooses how to handle the riders who are not ready at their scheduled competition time. They may be disqualified or allowed to perform after the last competitor in their category.
9B.6.2 Preliminary Round
Each rider’s preliminary round is divided in two parts, timed preliminary and last trick. Top scoring riders of the preliminary round will continue to the battle finals.
9B.6.2.1 Timed Preliminary
The preliminary round will last one minute. Any tricks completed after the one minute has elapsed will not be counted. If the rider is in a combo when the time ends, they are not allowed to start another trick and extend the combo, they must end their combo with their current trick. Once the time is up, the rider moves from timed preliminary to last trick.
9B.6.2.2 Last Trick (Preliminary)
There are two attempts for the last trick in the preliminary round. The rider is not obligated to use all attempts or to try the same trick every attempt. Riders may skip an attempt. Only the last attempt will be scored. A failed attempt does not subtract from the score.
9B.6.3 Battles
In a Flatland battle, two riders compete head-to-head, taking turns performing tricks. Battles are separated into two parts: timed battle and last trick. The winner of each battle is determined immediately after the battle by the judges. The winner continues to the next battle and the loser is eliminated, unless the battle is in a double-elimination bracket.
9B.6.3.1 Timed Battle
Each battle will last two minutes, except for the final four battles. These semifinal and final battles will last two to four minutes as agreed upon by both battling riders. If they disagree, these battles will default to three minutes in length. The rider with better ranking from the preliminary round chooses which rider starts the battle. There are two countdown timers, one for each rider (each with half the battle duration). The corresponding rider’s timer will be started and stopped when they start and stop riding. Any tricks completed after the rider’s time has elapsed will not be counted. If the rider is in a combo when the time ends, they are not allowed to start another trick and extend the combo, they must end their combo with their current trick. After one rider’s time runs out, the other rider will ride for their remaining time. Once the time is up for both riders, the riders go from timed battle to last trick.
9B.6.3.2 Last Trick (Battles)
There are three last trick attempts for each rider in battles. The rider who started the battle starts the last trick. Riders will take turns attempting their last trick. Riders are not obligated to use all attempts or to try the same trick every attempt. Riders may skip an attempt. Only the last attempt will be scored. Other failed attempts do not subtract from the score.
9B.6.4 Number of Competitors Entering Battles
The highest scoring competitors from the preliminary round proceed onto the final battles. The number of competitors that move onto the finals is determined by a vote from the judges, but it cannot be more than 16 riders. Only a simple majority is needed for the vote. If a number of other 4, 8 or 16 is chosen, byes are used to expand the group of rider to the next largest bracket. (For example, 11 riders would use the 16 rider bracket, and the top 5 riders would get a bye for the first round of battles.)
9B.6.4.1 Battle Assignments
Battles will proceed according to the following brackets. The use of the double elimination bracket is optional.
Here are example double elimination brackets for reference: https://unicycling.org/files/double-elimination-brackets.pdf
9C Judges and Officials Rules
9C.1 Flatland Director
The Flatland Director is the head organizer and administrator of Flatland. With the convention host, they are responsible for the event logistics, the equipment and the system used to run the event. They must select the Chief Judge. They are in charge of keeping the event on schedule and answering questions about the event. The Flatland Director is the highest authority on everything to do with the Flatland competition, except for decisions on rules and results.
9C.2 Chief Judge
The Chief Judge is the head Flatland official. They are responsible for selecting the judges, overseeing the competition, handling protests, ensuring the event rules are followed, and answering questions about the rules and judging. The Chief Judge is also responsible for the accuracy of all judging point tabulations and calculations.
An interruption of judging can result from material damage, injury of a competitor, or interference with a competitor by a person or object. The Chief Judge determines if the rider is at fault. If they are not, the Chief Judge chooses when to insert the rider back into the competition, along with the rider’s remaining time. The Chief Judge may be the same person as the Flatland director.
9C.3 Judges
9C.3.1 Judging Panel
There must always be an odd number of judges to prevent ties.
9C.3.2 Selecting Judges
A person should not judge an event if the person is:
- A parent, child or sibling of a rider competing in the event.
- A coach, manager, trainer or colleague of the same club/team as a rider competing in the event.
- More than one judge from the same country on the same judging panel.
If the judging pool is too limited by the above criteria, restrictions can be eliminated starting from the bottom of the list and working upward as necessary, but only until enough judges are available.
9C.3.3 Judging Panel May Not Change
The individual members of the judging panel must remain the same for an entire category. In the event of an emergency, this rule can be waived by the Chief Judge.
9C.3.3.1 Rating Judge Performance
Judges are rated by comparing their scores to those of other judges at previous competitions. If a judge’s performance is determined to be too weak, they may be removed from the judging panel.
Characteristics of Judging Weaknesses:
- Excessive Ties: Using ties frequently (it defeats the purpose of judging.)
- Bias: Placing members of certain groups or nations significantly lower or higher than other judges.
- Inconsistence: Ranking a large number of riders significantly different from the average of other judges.
9C.3.4 Training
The judges workshop is set by the Flatland Director or Chief Judge. Either the Flatland Director or the Chief Judge run the workshop. The workshop must be help before the competition. Judges should have read the rules prior to the start of the workshop. The workshop will include a practice session. Each judge will read the rules, attend the workshop, agree to follow the rules and agree to their potential removal from the list of available judges if they show excessive judges weaknesses, as determined by the Chief Judge.
9C.4 Flatland Judging and Scoring
9C.4.1 Judging Criteria
Preliminary rounds and battles are judged using the following criteria. Each category is scored out of 10 points and weighted differently:
Difficulty (25% of score):
Score is given for average technical difficulty of the tricks and combos landed during the
battle/preliminary. Doing tricks in a combo awards more points then the individual tricks. A
combo awards more points if the intensity of riding is high while a combo scores
less if it contains many pauses or relaxing elements. Failed combos do not give any
points.
Variety (18% of score):
Score is given for the average variation in the types of tricks done during the
battle/preliminary.
Fullness (23% of score):
Score is given for time used for successfully landing tricks. Preparing and riding up to
successfully landed tricks is considered part of the trick. The harder a trick is, the more time is
acceptable as preparation/run up time.
Flow (20% of score):
Score is given for cleanliness and style of rider during the battle/preliminary.
Last Trick (14% of score):
Score is given for technical difficulty, novelty, creativity, and flow. The rider is not obligated to
use all attempts or to try the same trick every attempt. Only the last attempt will be scored.
Other failed attempts do not subtract from the score.
9C.4.2 Preliminary Round Scoring
At the end of every preliminary run, the judges must enter or write down the rider’s scores. Once all preliminary runs are over, the scores for each rider are tabulated by adding up the scores from each judges and then the riders are ranked according to their total number of points.
If there are two riders with equal points, the riders’ “last trick” score is used to break the tie. If the riders’ “last trick” scores are equal and the riders are moving on to battles, the judges choose the order of placement of the two riders by a simple vote of majority.
9C.4.3 Battle Scoring
For battles, judges must decide on a single rider to vote on, they cannot tie the riders. Judges are required to write down scores for each category during battles. Judges must determine a winner individually. The Chief Judge collects the results from each judge and the winner is chosen by simple majority. The winner of each battle is then announced directly.
9C.4.4 Sportsmanship
If a rider distracts or delays the competition or shows unsportsmanlike conduct, the Chief Judge may choose to warn or eliminate that rider.
9C.4.5 Finals/Semi-Finals
The winner and loser of the final battle round take first and second place in the competition. The losers of the semi-final battle round compete in the “small final” battle for third place and fourth place. The small final is the only required battle from the “losers bracket.”
9D Event Organizer Rules
9D.1 Venue
9D.1.1 Minimum Area
A 11 x 14 meter area is required. Judges will be situated along one of the longer sides. The audience may be as close to the boundaries as desired provided that they do not impede or obstruct the judges.
9D.1.2 Riding Surface
Paved, outdoor areas are ideal for Flatland. The riding surface must be of a similar texture and riding quality throughout the competition area. Note that Flatland unicycle have black tires and sometimes that may mark or damage indoor surfaces. Although being indoors offer shelter and climate control, most indoor surfaces are not suitable. Indoor concrete is not suitable as it is most often polished, hence too slippery. Unicycles with metal pedals and marking tire are allowed. The Event Host must organize the competition where marking tires and metal pedals are allowed.
9D.1.3 Postponement due to Weather
In the case of rain or bad weather and an uncovered Flatland area, the organizers should postpone the event. The competition should be canceled if it is considered dangerous for the riders. If the event is postponed or moved to an indoor location, allowances must be the same (metal pedals, marking tires, etc.) The event host should try to place events that may be influenced by weather conditions in the first days of the event, giving a larger period of time to reschedule it.
9D.1.4 Music
In Flatland, a DJ plays music for the competition.
9D.2 Officials
Flatland must have the following officials:
- Flatland Director
- Chief Judge
The host must designate the Flatland Director well in advance of the event. For an international events, it is recommended that the Flatland Director is chosen at least one year in advance so that they may be consulted on scheduling. The Flatland Director must select the Chief Judge. The Chief Judge may be the same person as the Flatland director.
9D.3 Communication
Hosts must publicize details of the available competition area as far in advance of the competition as possible, and organizers of international championships at least three months prior to the event. For other events, the organizers must specify the venue for the Flatland competition by the beginning of the convention/competition at the latest.
9D.4 Age Groups
- Scoring will be based on age groups in accordance with rule 1C.8.
9D.5 Practice
There are no specific requirements for the competition area to be available for practice.