Proposal 47: Technical Judging [ Revision 2 ]

Committee: Freestyle
Submitted on 2015-03-28
Status: Failed on April 07, 2015

Background

The current technical judging rules list criteria that are explained wrongly, without scientifical backup. That leads to wrong education and irritating judging rules, because the rules don't judge what they suppose to do. This proposal doesn't change the criteria for technical judging, it corrects the explanations and provides definitions to overall correct all the historically summed up mistakes that are in the current rules.

Proposal

Old Chapter: 5.23, 5.24.1, 5.25, 5.26

New Rules proposed in this document (which is easier to read than pasting it here). Also contents below in this proposal.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zQpX7AJgauM2WI2gtK21MqRqsxngRWFbpM8Igrwxk_k/edit?usp=sharing

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5c Freestyle Judging

Judging for Individual, Pairs, and Group Freestyle is divided into two components, Technical

and Presentation. Qualified judges may judge only Technical, only Presentation,

or both. For each component, judges give three or four scores from 0 to 10, or 0 to 15,

high scores being better. Scores such as 2.0, 2.2, or even 2.25 are encouraged to help

differentiate between riders of similar ability.

 

5.23 Individual Freestyle - Trick Score

               

The Technical part of the judging is broken into four parts. Four scores will be given by each judge, values ranging from 0 to 10 as follows:

 

• Quantity of Unicycling Skills And Transitions (0-10 points)

• Difficulty (0-10 points)

• Quality (0-10 points)

• Mastery (0-10 points)

                   

Technical Total: 40 points

5.23.1 Quantity of Unicycling Skills and Transitions

               

Quantity is the number of unicycling skills and transitions successfully executed. Transitions, before and after the skill, should also be counted. If a dismount happens during transition but after a skill was successfully executed, only the completed skill is counted and the failed transition should not be counted. For example, if a dismount happens during standup gliding, only the transition from riding to standup is counted. If a dis- mount happens after standup gliding and during the transition from the standup gliding to riding, the previous transition into stand up and the standup gliding are counted.

                   

Only ‘unicycling skills’ will be counted (see definition in chapter 1d). For example, if a rider is juggling while idling, idling is counted as a unicycling skill and juggling will affect the Interpretation: Props and other Presentation scores. Performing many short skills with quick transitions can increase this score, but will decrease the score as related to the Duration score.

                   

Variety: Different from Variety in Standard skill, different variations of the same type of skill are counted separately. Skills should be chosen to work with the style of the performance, but performing exactly the same skill multiple times will decrease this score.

 

Examples:

• ‘Drag seat in front’ and ‘drag seat in back’ are counted independently.

• The following variations of ‘standup gliding one foot’ will be counted differently;

• Arabesque (The free leg is extended behind the body above hip height – at least a 90 degree angle)

• Knee hold (one hand supporting the knee of the free leg)

• Y-character balance (holding a straightened leg up with one hand and using other hand to form a Y shape)

• Catch-foot (the free leg being held in one or both hands)

• Biellmann (the free leg grasped from behind and pulled overhead in the Biellmann position)

• Face up spins are different from normal upright spins

• Combinations of one-rotation spins/turns are different from continuous spins

 

Originality: Skills with unique variations that are completely new or with new approaches will get more points.

 

5.23.2 Difficulty

 

Definition:

Difficulty measure how a trick works and is determined by a trick-specific base difficulty altered by execution-specific variables.

 

Base Difficulty:

 

The base difficulty can be best expressed by the time it takes to learn a specific skill (which to some point includes the difficulty of tricks that should be learned before). The base difficulty is altered by the following values:

 

• Range of Precision: The more precise the controlling the trick, the more difficult. Example: For gliding tricks the control can be in the range of millimeters (high precision) in contrast to a unispin (low precision) that has a very big landing zone (it ranges from the frame at the height of the wheel to the end of the pedals).

• Riding direction: Moving backwards impacts the visual system and limits the information passed to the brain for processing and is such considered more difficult.

• Rotations: Rotation movements are untypical in our normal life, impacting the riders kinesthetic system, which needs to cope with strategies against a loss of balance and is thus also considered more difficult.

 

Execution-specific variables:

 

• Timing: Precisive and accurate timing, especially tricks to music but also for the trick itself. The more accurate, the more difficult.

• Coupling: When a rider is able to perform more movements in conjunction with the main action (e.g. demonstrates a trick and simultaneously does some dance moves), they demonstrate to their ability to exploit the movement beyond simply the actual trick. It is more difficult if the rider is able to do something else while executing a trick and control these two decoupled movements.

• Variable Controlling: The effort to control the execution of a skill under varying situations (e.g. untypical riding speed) that require a more precise regulation and more differentiate strength output of each body part to achieve.

5.23.3 Quality

 

Definition:

The Quality of execution measure how a trick looks and is only applicable per trick and mainly defined by trick-specific traits. Also, there are general characteristics, that serve as orientation and should used if applicable:

 

General characteristics:

• Body posture and tension: Whole upper body tension from fingertips, through arm and upper body. Some parts support body tension, that if applicable a judge can take as hint: These are stretched arms, outrotated shoulders (and palm facing ceiling).

• Angle of the legs: For all tricks that stretch legs away (e.g. Unispins, Aerials, Kicks and Swings), a 180 degree angle between the two legs is best, 135° is decent, and 90° should be the expected minimum.

• Airtime: For all tricks flying into the air. The longer the rider remains in the air, the better (typically affects: Hoptwists, Aerials and other jumps that attempt big air)

• Fluid movement: A fluid movement can be portrayed through continuity, smoothness, and through tricks performed with the precise amount of force required, neither too much nor too little.

• Leg extended: For all leg extended tricks, the free leg should be outstretched from hip to toe (1ft ext, 1ft ext Spin, Arabesque, etc.)

 

5.23.4 Mastery

 

Definition:

Mastery is the consistency, reliability and stability a rider demonstrates during his routine.

 

Consistency and Reliability:

Reliability means how often a rider is able to repeat a trick: If a rider is given 10 tries for a trick, how often does he land it? Simply spoken: If a rider is able to repeat 10 out of 10 tries, he has mastered a trick. In a routine we see tricks only once, if the rider falls, he wasn’t able to prove his reliability and receives a penalty for that. Consistency means reliability across multiple tricks.

 

Major dismounts are when the unicycle falls and/or a hand or any body part other than the rider’s foot or feet touch the floor. Major dismounts are also when the choreography of a rider’s routine is clearly affected.

Minor dismounts are when the unicycle does not fall, only the rider’s foot or feet touch down and the choreography of a rider’s routine is not affected. A minor dismount may also be counted when Judges cannot differentiate between a planned dismount and an unplanned dismount.

Exception: Dismounts that occur while the rider is performing a seat drag skill have to be evaluated somewhat differently since the unicycle is already on the ground. For these dismounts, the Judges should use the current above language regarding minor and major dismounts but disregard the parts talking about the unicycle. For example, if a rider is performing seat drag in back and steps off the unicycle with only their feet touching the ground, it would be considered a minor dismount unless the choreography of the routine is plainly affected.

 

Stability:

Compensating motions negatively impact stability. These are unplanned movements to regain balance or other jerky movements.

 

Score can be generated using the following calculations:

Score = 10    − 1.0 · (number of major dismount(s))

− 0.5 · (number of minor dismount(s))

− 0.25 · (number of compensating motion(s))

 

5.24 Individual Freestyle – Presentation Score

The Presentation half of the judging has been broken into four parts. Four scores are to be

given by each judge with values ranging from 0 to 10 as follows:

• Performance/Execution (0-10 points)

• Composition/Choreography (0-10 points)

• Interpretation of the Music/Timing (0-10 points)

Presentation Total: 30 points

Each part includes a definition of the terms as well criteria to be considered by the judges.

 

5.24.1 Mistakes: Dismounts

Eliminated, moved to 5.23.4

5.25 Pairs Freestyle – Additional Judging Criteria

 

Pairs judges must consider the performance of two unicyclists together. All judging criteria and the scoring from Individual Freestyle are used, but the additional factors below must also be considered. The only exceptions are the scoring guidelines for Pairs Freestyle Difficulty as mentioned below in section 5.25.3.

 

Doubles refers to two riders on one unicycle.

       

5.25.1 Pairs Freestyle: Quantity of Unicycling Skills and Transitions

                   

Number of skills should be counted for each rider separately. If a rider is not riding unicycle and performing non-unicycling skills while the other rider doing unicycling skills, only one skill for a rider is counted.

 

Pairs Vs. Doubles: In case of Doubles, the Quantity is counted as same as the skill by a single rider.

5.25.2 Pairs Freestyle: Difficulty

                   

The Difficulty level of a multiple person act is determined by the overall level of difficulty displayed by the pair, not by the difficulty of feats presented by a single rider. If one rider’s skill level is a great deal higher than the other, judges must keep the Difficulty score somewhere between the levels of the two riders. Number of skills should be counted for each rider separately. If a rider is not riding unicycle and performing non-unicycling skills while the other rider doing unicycling skills, only one skill for a rider is counted. A skill in which the two riders obviously support each other will score lower than the same skill performed separately. Judges must be able to distinguish between ‘support’ and ‘artistic contact.’ Riders who are merely holding hands may not be supporting each other, but if their arms are locked, they probably are.

   

Note: Some skills are more difficult with riders holding hands, such as one foot riding, side-by-side.

                   

Pairs Vs. Doubles: Some Pairs performers use lots of doubles moves, with lifting, strength, and the associated difficulty. Other Pairs acts use no doubles moves at all. How to compare them? Remember that the skill level of both riders is being judged. If the ‘top’ rider does not display much unicycling skill when he or she rides, judges must keep that in mind, and rate their average difficulty accordingly. If the top rider never rides, one can argue that this is not a Pairs act, and give a major points reduction. Doubles moves are difficult for both persons, but must be weighed carefully against non-doubles performances.

 

   

5.25.3 Pairs Freestyle: Quality

 

Execution-specific variables:

 

• Timing: In addition to precise timing to the music, in pair freestyle the timing and synchronization of movements with the partner is judged as well. Judges must ask themselves: How well are two identical movements synchronized to each other, or are the out of sync?. Does each rider behave proactively or reactively to their partner? Proactive behavior is defined as movements according to the plan. Reactive behavior is typically seen when movements weren’t executed as planned.   

 

5.25.4 Pairs Freestyle: Choreography And Style

No changes to this section for this proposal

5.26 Group Freestyle – Additional Judging Criteria

 

5.26.2 Group Freestyle: Difficulty   

 

As in Pairs, judges must seek to find the average Level of Difficulty of what may be a widely varied group of riders. Top level skills done by only one rider cannot bring the Difficulty score up to top level. High scores should not be given if only one or two of the skills are of a high level even if done by all riders or with skills that are the same type but with minor variations. All riders in the routine must be used effectively. This means that if one or more riders are at a beginner level, they can still ride around in circles, carry banners, be carried by other riders, etc. Riders should not be left standing on the side.

 

Small Group Vs. Large Group: Some groups will be much smaller or larger than others, and judges must include this information in their decisions. Large groups may have a tendency toward formation riding and patterns, while smaller groups may focus more on difficult skills. With so many possibilities, judges must compare many different factors to get an adequate judgment. Large numbers alone should not earn a high difficulty score, and neither should a few difficult skills performed by a small number. The judges must consider the group’s size as a part of the overall performance, including the advantages or limitations that size has on the types of skills being performed.

 

Level of difficulty is for successfully executed skills. High scores awarded for a routine packed with a number of skills that have a high variety. Only ‘unicycling skills’ will be judged; non-unicycling skills only affect Presentation scores. Dancing, juggling, and other non-unicycling skills can increase only the Presentation score, and have no influence on this score.

5.26.3 Group Freestyle: Quality

 

Execution-specific variables:

 

• Timing: In addition to precise timing to the music, in group freestyle the timing and synchronization of movements with (partial) groups/partners is judged as well. Judges must ask themselves: How well are two identical movements synchronized to each other, or are the out of sync?. Does each rider behave proactively or reactively to their partners? Proactive behavior is defined as movements according to the plan. Reactive behavior is typically seen when movements weren’t executed as planned.

5.26.4 Group Freestyle: Mastery

 

Major dismounts are when the unicycle falls and/or a hand, or any body part other than the rider’s foot or feet touch(es) the floor. Major dismounts are also when the Choreography of a rider’s routine is clearly affected.

 

Minor dismounts are when the unicycle does not fall, only the rider’s foot or feet touch(es) down and the choreography of a rider’s routine is not affected. A minor dismount may also be counted when Judges cannot differentiate between a planned dismount and an unplanned dismount.

 

Stability: Compensating motions negatively impact stability. These are unplanned movements to regain balance or other jerky movements.

 

Score can be generated using the following calculations:

Score = 10    − 1.0 · (number of major dismount(s))

− 0.5 · (number of minor dismount(s))

− 0.25 · (number of compensating motion(s))

       

The scores above will be applied using a calculation to adjust for the number of riders in the group. Judges need to be able to differentiate between a planned dismount and an unplanned dismount. The number of dismounts should be weighted by the number of riders in the group. The following formula is used:

 

Final Dismount Score = 10·(1− mistake score/number of riders). This score cannot be lower than 0.

 

Known Methods for Mistake and Boundary scores:

 

1. Each presentational judge is responsible for mistake and rider counting.

2. Each presentational judge gets an additional counter seated next to him/her who counts mistakes and riders.

3. Mistake Counters: 4 counters seated at the edge of the performing area. Each of them counts mistakes and riders. The final dismount score will be calculated from an average of their counts.

 

5.26.5 Group Freestyle: Choreography And Style

No changes to this section for this proposal

Body

Here are slides that explain the rules roughly and provide the background behind: https://speakerdeck.com/gossi/difficulty-stability-master-2015

References

Some refs:

• Blume, D.-D., Schnabel, G. & Zimmermann, K. (2002). Koordinative Fähigkeiten. In B. Ludwig & G. Ludwig, Koordinative Fähigkeiten - koordinative Kompetenz (S. 25-33). Kassel: Universität Kassel.
• Gossmann, T. (2012). Strukturen in Unicycling Skills. Zugriff am 23. März 2015 auf http:// gos.si/publikationen/Strukturen_in_Unicycling_Skills-Gossmann.pdf
• Hirtz, P. (2002). Von der Gewandtheit zu den koordinativen Fähigkeiten. In B. Ludwig & G. Ludwig, Koordinative Fähigkeiten - koordinative Kompetenz (S. 20-24). Kassel: Universität Kassel.
• Wollny, R. (2007). Bewegungswissenschaft Ein Lehrbuch in 12 Lektionen. Aachen: Meyer & Meyer Verlag.

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Discussion

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Change Log:

Revision 2 changed by Thomas Gossmann (28 Mar 15:43)

Copied contents from google doc into the textarea here.

Revision 1 changed by Thomas Gossmann (28 Mar 10:40)

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Votes on this proposal:

16 out of 27 voting members have voted.

Agree: 5, Disagree: 9, Abstain: 2.