Emphasis will be placed on overall performance.

Equal points will be possible within all areas of scoring – someone with superior strength or tricks will not have a disproportionate advantage over someone with superior form and artistry. This will basically come down to which performance is the most riveting for the audience to watch!

Points will be awarded based on the following criteria:

All Divisions:

Basic Elements – 10 Points Each (total 40 points)

• Artistry (10 points max) Artistry refers to the expressive and creative qualities of the performance. This includes musical interpretation, emotional range, character embodiment, and the athlete’s ability to convey a clear theme, mood, or story. To achieve the highest point allocation, the athlete should demonstrate depth, authenticity, and intentional expression that feels fully embodied rather than performed “at” the audience.
• Presentation (10 points max) Presentation refers to the overall polish and professionalism of the performance as perceived by the audience. This includes confidence, stage presence, projection, spatial awareness, costume cohesion, and consistency of performance quality from start to finish. To achieve the highest point allocation, the athlete should appear fully committed, controlled, and present at all times, with no visible lapses in focus, character, or engagement.
• Execution & Skill (10 points max.) Execution refers to the safe and controlled completion of aerial tricks and combinations. To achieve the highest point allocation, the athlete should enter, exit and hold moves without re-grips, slips, falls, strain, struggle or uncertainty. It should look effortless. 
• Choreography (10 points max.) Choreography refers to the intentional structuring of movement throughout the entire routine, including transitions, pacing, use of levels, and integration of skills into a cohesive composition. To achieve the highest point allocation, the athlete should demonstrate purposeful sequencing, variety, and flow, with clear choices that enhance the music and apparatus rather than feeling like a collection of disconnected tricks. Movement should feel planned, dynamic, and complete from start to finish.

All candidates must perform a choreographed routine between 2:00 – 3:00 minutes depending on the division.

Floor work not to exceed 15% of routine in any division.

NOVICE & JUNIOR LEVEL RESTRICTIONS

• Stage must be covered with a safety mat underneath the apparatus.
• No intentional swinging on the silks or lyra. Points will be deducted as risk of falling beyond the safety mats.
• SILKS – Restricted moves include the kamikaze drop in any level, dead man drop, unlocked and open wrap drops
  • Open wrap drops are those that could go catastrophically wrong if mis-wrapped or that rely on hand- eye coordination to arrest movement. 
• LYRA – No standing on top bar
  • No ankle, toe, neck, or heel hangs
  • No cross ankle release on top of the lyra
  • No orbiting or swinging the lyra past the crash mat
  • Three points of contact at all times above the bottom bar while inverted with exceptions of mounting the top bar. This can be done with either a pike or straddle. Under bottom bar (All mounts under bottom bar allowed, and one arm/elbow hangs)
• HAMMOCK –
  • No inverted slack drops
  • No release moves / tricks / drops where the whole-body releases contact from the hammock
  • No release moves / tricks / drops without a re-catch
  • No head first drops with ankle catches

*Floorwork (movement not touching apparatus) not to exceed 15% of routine)

SEMI-PRO LEVEL RESTRICTIONS

• SILKS – NO UNLOCKED DROPS (Meaning no drops where you are catching as you fall). 
• LYRA – Three points of contact at all times above the bottom bar while inverted with exceptions of mounting the top bar. This can be done with either a pike or straddle. Under bottom bar, no foot and heel hangs. (All mounts under bottom bar allowed, and one arm/elbow hangs are permitted).
• HAMMOCK – No release moves / tricks / drops where the whole-body releases contact from the hammock
• No release moves / tricks / drops without a recatch
• Bomb/Star/similarly complex drops and dives are permitted if performed using seatbelt/corset/tummy safety wraps or an additional wrap that provides a similar level of safety
• No head first drops with ankle catches 

*Floorwork (movement not touching apparatus) not to exceed 15% of routine

Questions on acceptable moves or clarification on moves can contact us at any time. 

Deductions/Disqualifications:

• Inversion Restriction (3 Points of Contact on Lyra) 2 points each (Novice, Junior, & SEMI-PRO DIVISIONS ONLY)
• Costume Malfunction/Coverage                                                                            
• General Rule Violations                                                                                          
• Use of Unsecure/Unsafe Moves                                                                            
• Any contact with truss, rigging, lights or cables                                           
• Slips/Falls                                                                                               
• Unapproved props
• Non-radio-edit language
• Exceeding maximum performance time
• Disregarding instructions from competition staff, including volunteers
• Disregarding instructions from the head rigger
• Violation of the Code of Conduct
• Plagiarism of choreography on your apparatus or on floor work
• Disrespectful or demanding language or actions toward or about judges
• Deductions are at the discretion of the judges and the amount deducted may vary between judges, just as the amount granted per criteria may vary between judges
• Showing ANY misconduct or behavior (including online) that would defame the character, reputation, and image of the Florida Aerial Arts Championship.
• Failing to submit required materials – athlete contract, music, photo, etc.
• Failing to appear on time at the competitor check-in meeting.
• Bullying or harassing another competitor, performer or affiliate of the FAAC. See policy HERE.
• If the organizers feel you are intoxicated or unsafe to perform due to the consumption of drugs or alcohol, you will be immediately disqualified.
• For delegates and the winners of the Florida Aerial Arts Championship, violation of any of the event code of conduct, rules, regulations, terms, and conditions of this Agreement will result in disqualification and dethronement.
• For delegates and the winners of the Florida Aerial Arts Championship, determination by the Organizer that any of your representations made in your Application Form, this agreement, and/or any other information you supplied in connection with the event, prove to be false and/or inaccurate will result in disqualification and dethronement.

TIE BREAKER

In the case of a tie in the highest overall score, the highest execution score will be used. In case of a tie in the execution score, the winner will be determined by a deliberation by the judges. 

SCORING RUBRIC

10 – 9: Superior, expert. No faults or errors.
8 – 7: Above average. Minimal faults or errors.
6 – 5: Average, passable, competent, common. Some faults or errors.

4 – 3. Basic, fundamental, simple, beginner. Regular faults or errors.

2 – 1: Limited, reserved, restrained. Many faults or errors. 

SCORE CARDS:

• Scores and feedback be made available to each individual competitor within 10 days of the competition by request.
• Scorecards will not be made public. The decisions of the judges are final.