Specific Rules for 1A Freestyles:

• In a 1A freestyle, at no time shall there be more than one yo-yo in play (including slave or prop yo-yos) at the same time. During any periods of time that this rule is violated, the judges shall not grant any points for Technical Execution or Performance Style but shall deduct points for any mistakes, loss of control restarts, yo-yo replacements, etc.
• In a 1A freestyle, at no time shall the yo-yo be removed from the string (i.e. no offstring tricks are allowed). During any periods of time that this rule is violated, the judges shall not grant any points for Technical Execution or Performance Style but shall deduct points for any mistakes, loss of control restarts, yo-yo replacements, etc.
• In a 1A freestyle, Mobius style is allowed. Skyrocket type tricks are also allowed. In a 1A freestyle, typical scoring elements include but are not limited to: mounts, dismounts, string hits, hops, grinds, lacerations, release catches (like suicides/Iron Whips), slack catches, regenerations and binds.

Specific Rules for 2A and 3A Freestyles

• In a 2A or 3A freestyle, the judges shall not grant any points for Technical Execution or Performance Style unless both yo-yos are in play simultaneously.
• In a 2A or 3A freestyle, at no time shall there be more than two yo-yos in play (including slave or prop yo-yos) at the same time. During any periods of time that this rule is violated, the judges shall not grant any points for Technical Execution or Performance Style but shall deduct points for any mistakes, loss of control restarts, yo-yo replacements, etc.
• In a 2A freestyle, typical scoring elements include but are not limited to: loops, punches, wraps, tanglers, moons, hops, stalls, worlds, transitions, regenerations and various combinations and/or variations of these elements.
• In a 3A freestyle, typical scoring elements include but are not limited to: 1A type string tricks, however transitions between tricks may involve tanglers, worlds, grinds, wraps and similar elements.

Specific Rules for 4A and 5A Freestyles

• In a 4A and 5A freestyle there is no restriction on the number of yo-yos that may be in play at the same time.
• In a 4A freestyle, typical scoring elements include but are not limited to: launches, tosses, catches, regenerations, grinds, intentional bounces off body parts or the stage back to a catch, boingys or other types of bounces between strings.
• In a 4A freestyle, trick elements ?performed with a pinched string? that mimic 1A trick elements, where the yo-yo never leaves the string for the entire duration of the trick element, may be scored at a lower value than high risk off string moves.
• Similarly, 4A Railing tricks (sliding along the string, like Eiji's fast trick) may be scored at a lower value than high risk off string moves.
• In a 5A freestyle, points shall only be awarded only while the counter weight (or multiple counter weights) is in play, or in the act of being moved from hand to hand. Any trick done while the counterweight is being held for the entire duration of the trick shall be considered 1A trick, and shall not be scored.

Positive Point Awards:

• Positive points shall be awarded for advanced level tricks or trick elements performed successfully.
• Variations of tricks and trick elements shall be fully scored.
• Repeated tricks, repeated trick elements and repeated mounts may be scored at a lower value or not be scored at all.
• Additional points shall be awarded for the difficulty level of a trick element.

• In all divisions, 1-point shall be deducted for each trick or trick element missed including but not limited to: missed string hits/catches, missed slacks, missed lacerations, missed binds, missed 5A counterweight/string catches, failed 4A launches.
• In all divisions, 1-point shall be deducted for each loss of control
• Repeated efforts to regain control of a yo-yo, such as but not limited to: repeated unsuccessful binds, repeated unsuccessful launches, and excessive uncontrolled loops or punches shall result in additional deductions.
• In 2A and 3A (and in 4A and 5A when two or more yo-yos are in play), each yo-yo is judged separately.
• Loss of control that results in a restart shall be a mandatory 2-point deduction per yo-yo. Therefore, in 2A and 3A (and in 4A and 5A when two yo-yos are in play) if both yo-yos need to be restarted a mandatory 4-point deduction shall be assessed. Note that each 2-point deduction includes the initial 1-point deduction for loss of control leading to the restart. If a contestant chooses to replace a yo-yo rather than to restart it, it is still a mandatory 2-point deduction.
• In all divisions, replacing one yo-yo with another, shall count as a mandatory 3-point deduction if the yo-yo becomes unplayable due to a jammed, broken or knotted yo-yo string or due to a malfunction of the yo-yo.
• Voluntarily replacing a yo-yo (or yo-yos) which does not require a restart or which is not unplayable does not incur a deduction.
• In all divisions, a mandatory 3-point deduction shall be assessed for any yo-yos that leave the stage for unintentional reasons including but not limited to: broken strings, broken yo-yos, failed aerial catches in 4A and 5A, or yo-yos that come a part.
• In 2A and 3A (and in 4A and 5A when two yo-yos are in play), replacing both yo-yos at the same time, shall count as a 6-point deduction if both yo-yo are tangled or otherwise unplayable. Note that each 3-point deduction includes the initial 1-point deduction already assessed for loss of control leading to the yo-yo replacement.
• In 4A and 5A, if more than two yo-yos are in play each additional yo-yo shall be judged separately and each additional yo-yo shall be subject to the mandatory 1, 2 and 3-point deductions described above.
• Intentionally launching, throwing or otherwise discarding a yo-yo off the stage or into the audience shall result in a mandatory 5-point deduction. Repeated violations of this rule may lead to a disqualification if the actions are considered disruptive or dangerous. Note that this rule is in effect before and after the freestyle time period.

Performance Style Scoring:
The Championship Division freestyle judges shall judge a contestant?s Performance Style according to the following general scoring criteria.

The following elements of style are listed below as guidance to the judges and contestants. Evaluation of Performance Style is very subjective process and each judge may apply additional criteria and standards as to what they feel constitutes Performance Style in a yo-yoing freestyle routine.

• No Performance Style points shall be awarded for anything that occurs before or after the 3-minute freestyle.
• Stage presence and playing to the audience while yo-yoing.
• Choreography: Includes but is not limited to elements such as; timing yo-yoing tricks to music; composition of freestyle (has a clear beginning, middle and builds to a climatic ending); and use of "yo-yo space" up, down, back and forth, left and right including dance and acrobatic moves while yo-yoing.
• Amplitude and/or risk level of the yo-yo trick elements performed.
• Elegance of control and maturity of the yo-yoing (i.e. stylish, clean, smooth.)
• Variation of trick elements and styles.