Competition | Infractions & Deductions
Compliance Guidelines
In order to keep our aerial arts competition fair, safe, and consistent, all participants are expected to follow the rules outlined in our guidelines. This page explains how infractions are handled, including both general point deductions that apply to ALL competitors and skill level–specific infractions for non-compliance of the mandatory aerial skills designated to your skill level. By understanding these rules in advance, you can avoid penalties and ensure your performance is judged at its full potential.
General Point Deductions
The following are general point deductions that apply to ALL contestants, regardless of skill level. Please read carefully and adapt your routines accordingly.
Vertical Space
Automatically adjusted based on level. Please note for reference.
Novice: 15 ft Max
All Other Levels: Up to 18 ft
Act Duration
Compliance officers will time the routine in case of excessive overtime and note this on the comment section. Routine time includes set up on apparatus prior to music starting as well as dismounting the apparatus.
NOTE: Individual Routines: 2-3 minutes. Duo Routines: 4 minutes. Group Routines: 5 minutes
5pts | Over 6-10 seconds
8pts | 11-15 seconds
10pts | Over 16 seconds
Costume
5pts | No clearance on the face when inverted
10pts | Costume entanglement with apparatus
10pts | Costume with inadequate coverage
Cue Lifts
Cue lifts are only allowed in the Amateur, Elite, and Professional levels. The coach or other pre-authorized person is required to be beside our WCAAF operator provide lifting cues during the entirety of the routine. Novice competitors are not allowed to be lifted and shall receive a 5 point infraction for each lift.
5pts | Per each lift cue in Novice level
Mat Coverage
5pts | Mat issue resulting in medium coverage (specifically if forgotten to inform WCAAF staff beforehand)
5pts | Single occurrence of contestant going beyond six (6) feet radius
10pts | Excessive/multiple occurrence of contestant going beyond mat coverage
Aerial Percentage Content (APC)
APC of routine must be at 85%
5pts | 15-20% non aerial content
10pts | Over 20% non aerial content
Execution Skills
5-10pts | Any situation where the contestant keeps repeating the skill or executing a skill way longer than normal in an attempt to complete the skill, but at the same time poses an unsafe condition or compromising his/ her or the audience safety, depending on the gravity it imposed.
In situations where in the Amateur and above levels, they get entangled due to an incorrect exit in any lock – this will be considered an infraction – due to non-mastery of the skill. For the infraction to take place, the entanglement must be a serious one that can cause safety concerns.
In situations where a range of point deduction is noted, it is the position of the organization to default to the lowest infraction unless an exceeding gravity may compromise the safety of the contestant.
Delay
10pts | Over 2 minute delay caused by the contestant including music change and/or other factors
No Show at Designated Schedule
10pts | When a contestant is not present on the designated call time or at the time they are scheduled to perform. Compliance will be informed or will note of any contestant that has been skipped.
Props
10pts | No props allowed. Deduction for non-compliance.
Vertical Clearance of Act
5pts |If their head ALMOST touches the mat.
10pts | If their head or any part of their body hits the mat unintentionally. For example, from a drop or when performing momentum skills due to a miscalculation of height requirement.
Infractions per Skill Level
Each skill level has a set of mandatory moves that every contestant must showcase, as well as certain skills that are not permitted for that level. Performing outside these guidelines—whether by missing a required skill or executing a prohibited one—will result in an infraction.
NOTE: Consecutive is defined as no pause or hold.
General
8pts | No orbiting or exaggerated swings or spins that can affect the balance and grip for a Novice Level
8pts | Any other skills that are considered high level. Please submit a video if you have any questions about a skill.
Mandatory Skills
5pts | Basic Footlocks (Standard or Russian)
5pts | Stand Alone Single Drop/ Roll/ Dive
Or if the preparation is stacked – there should be a pause in between one to the next.
5pts | Basic entrances, wraps and inversions
Examples of entrances include crossback (from an invert leg crochet), hipkeys, hiplocks, S-wrap/ Waistlocks. Please avoid fancy entrances so that the judge can determine the contestants foundation.
Prohibited Moves
8pts | Any Apparatus
- Neck Hang or with Spins
- Open Reverse Flag/ Meathook
- Any stacked (double or consecutive) skill, including Drop, Rolls, Slide or combination of these if executed without a pause in between
- Elbow rolls, Hip Rolls and alike.
8pts | Hoop
- Ankle or Heel Hang or with Spins (any variation unless with hand or elbow assistance)
8pts | Horizontal Apparatus– Hoop, Trapeze and any Bar or Circular shaped Apparatus:
- An open drop/roll initiated from the sling/ spanset or rope and landing below the lower bar.
- Any crock or handstand position, or other high level skills that are normally not appropriate for Novice Level.
Mandatory Skills
5pts | Drop/ Roll or Dive
5pts | Flexibility skill or shape
5pts | Strength move
Strength can be encompassed in a variety of ways – not only as a stand-alone skill. These include the following: inversions, open motions, consecutive dynamic movements, controlled positions, and static positions that have no more than 1 holding area. Consult AAA if unsure. If they perform 2 consecutive climbs, then this will suffice as a strength skill.
5pts | Vertical Apparatus
- Single Invert Climb
5pts | Hammock or Similar (e.g. Sling/Spanset)
- Single Invert Climb
5pts | Horizontal Apparatus (Trapeze, Hoop and Any apparatus with circular shape or bar),
- Pullover (at least one (1)
8pts | All Apparatus
- At least one (1) Dynamic and one (1) Static element
- Movement cannot go beyond a six (6) feet radius
Mandatory Skills
8pts | All Apparatus
- Dynamic movement, including momentum beats, swings (within 6ft radius), and spins
- Static Execution (no momentum assist)
5pts | Horizontal Apparatus (Trapeze, Hoop and Any apparatus with circular shape or bar):
- At least one (1) pullover
8pts | Horizontal Apparatus (Trapeze, Hoop and Any apparatus with circular shape or bar)
- Dynamic motion including spins and limited swings (6 ft radius limit)
8pts | Vertical Apparatus (except Hammock or Sling – Loop based):
- Two (2) consecutive (strictest definition) invert climb, e.g. straddle climb, knee climb, horizontal roll-up and variation of invert climbs
A second invert that goes directly to a wrap is considered completed. However, a hiplock climb (same side invert hook pullup, meathook and swim out/exit) is a stand alone invert even if it was performed two times in a row and therefore will receive a 5 pts infraction in the Elite level.
Consecutive is defined as no pause or hold.
8pts | Hammock or Similar e.g. Sling/ Spanset, Straps:
- At least a Single Invert Climb PLUS any preparation, movement or wrap that covers the entire length of the apparatus
Mandatory Skills
8pts | All Apparatus
- Dynamic movement, including momentum beats, swings (within 6ft radius), and spins
- Static Execution (no momentum assist)
5pts | Horizontal Apparatus (Trapeze, Hoop and Any apparatus with circular shape or bar):
- At least one (1) pullover
8pts | Horizontal Apparatus (Trapeze, Hoop and Any apparatus with circular shape or bar)
- Dynamic motion including spins and limited swings (6 ft radius limit)
8pts | Hammock or Similar e.g. Sling/ Spanset, Straps:
- At least a Single Invert Climb PLUS any preparation, movement or wrap that covers the entire length of the apparatus
Changing Skill Level
If you need to downgrade or verify your current skill level, fill out the skill verification form.
For further questions on any compliance rules, please email us at aerialartsamerica@gmail.com