Freestyle rules
Your most inventive tricks, set to music. Entertainment counts!
Music
| Canadian 1A (prelim) | 1 minute |
| Canadian 1A (final) | 3 minutes |
| Canadian Open | 3 minutes |
| International X | 3 minutes |
- The time starts when the music is started.
- No points, either technical or performance, will be counted before the music starts or after the maximum length of the freestyle (see above) have elapsed.
- Competitors may choose their own music for their routine(s), provided that the music is appropriate for all audiences. If you are unsure about your music, a judge will be available to listen before the contest and make sure it's appropriate. Inappropriate music will be grounds for disqualification.
- Please see the FAQ page for music submission requrements
Stage use
- All actions on stage must be considered appropriate for all audiences. Inappropriate behaviour will be grounds for disqualification.
- No assistants will be allowed on stage.
- All yo-yos used must be brought on stage before the freestyle begins.
- Yo-yos that leave the stage during a freestyle shall not be returned to the stage until after the freestyle is over.
- No props are allowed on stage without prior approval of all judges and the contest director. All request for props will be reasonably considered if presented prior to the start of the competition.
- Yo-yos with hubstacks or side bearings of any kind are allowed in all divisions.
Contest Scoring System
- The judges at the Canadian Nationals 2024 will follow the scoring system from the World Yo-Yo Contest 2023 rules. Please refer to the link for detail.
- The total possible score consists of Technical Evaluation of 60% and Freestyle Evaluation of 40%. Major deductions will be applied to the total freestyle score if applicable.
- The said scoring structure will be applied to both preliminary rounds and final rounds. The Freesytle Evaluation of preliminary rounds only consider 4 criteria (EXE, CTL, MU1, BDY) whereas all 8 criteria are considred in the final rounds.
Specific considerations for 1A division
- At no time shall there be more that one yo-yo in play (including slave or prop yo-yos).
- At no time shall the yo-yo be removed from the string for offstring or washing machine play.
- Mobius, Double Dragon, and Skyrocket tricks are allowed.
Specific considerations for Open divison
- Only 2A, 3A, 4A, or 5A will be allowed.
- Each competitor may only perform ONE style in a freestyle routine.
Specific considerations for International X Freestyles
- Only 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, or 5A will be allowed.
- Each competitor may only perform ONE style in a freestyle routine.
- Standard rules for each style still apply.