Presentation
Show Freestyle presentation is judged similarly to Single Rope presentation, but additional factors should be taken into consideration for each category as described below.
Musicality
In addition to the original criteria: the suitability of the music to the routine's theme or story.
Mark +
- The music choice clearly reflects and reinforces the theme or concept of the routine. The style, energy, and transitions in the music align with what is happening in the performance, creating a cohesive and intentional impression throughout.
Baseline
- There is a recognisable theme or story, and the music is broadly suitable, but the connection between music and the performance concept is not consistently reinforced.
Mark -
- The music feels disconnected from or at odds with the routine's theme or story, creating an incoherent or confusing overall impression. The routine could have used any music without changing the performance.
Form/Execution
In addition to the original criteria: The technical aspects of Formation and Synchronisation — how precisely athletes move together, align spatially, and match timing with one another.
Mark +
- Athletes are in tight synchronisation throughout. Formations are crisp and well-defined, and transitions between formations are clean and executed together. Spatial alignment is precise and deliberate.
Baseline
- Athletes show general awareness of formation and synchronisation, but minor timing differences or spatial misalignments occur occasionally without significantly detracting from the performance.
Mark -
- Athletes are noticeably out of sync with each other, formations are unclear or poorly executed, or spatial alignment is significantly off. The lack of cohesion detracts from the overall impression.
Creativity
In addition to the original criteria: Creative use of formations — inventive spatial arrangements and transitions between formations that go beyond standard rope skills.
Mark +
- The team uses formations in unexpected and imaginative ways. Spatial arrangements are distinctive, transitions between formations are inventive, and the use of the performance space surprises and engages the judge.
Baseline
- Some formation work is present beyond basic arrangements, but it is predictable or limited in variety.
Mark -
- Formations are minimal, repetitive, or restricted to standard spatial arrangements. There is no inventive use of space or creative transitions between formations.
Entertainment
In addition to the original criteria: transitions between scenes, storytelling and theme, and "wow" moments that elevate the overall impact of the performance. Costumes, props, and visual design that reinforce the routine's theme or story. The overall arc and coherence of the performance as a complete piece.
Mark +
- The routine has a clear, compelling story or theme that unfolds with intentional scene transitions. Costumes, props, or visual design strongly reinforce the concept. There are distinct "wow" moments that create a memorable impression and elevate the performance beyond rope skills alone. The performance has a clear arc — it builds, peaks, and resolves in a way that feels complete and intentional.
Baseline
- There is some narrative or thematic intent and costumes or visual design are present, but the story is not fully developed or the elements do not fully cohere into a unified impression. The routine has a recognisable structure but lacks a strong sense of arc or resolution.
Mark -
- The routine lacks a clear story or theme, or costumes and props feel generic and disconnected from the performance. Transitions between sections feel abrupt or unmotivated, and there are no moments that elevate the overall impact. The performance feels like a collection of disconnected sections rather than a complete piece.
Variety/Repetitiveness
In addition to the original criteria: Variety of disciplines — the range of Jump Rope / Rope Skipping disciplines (including, but not limited to Single Rope, Double Dutch, Wheel, Long Rope, and Traveller) used throughout the routine.
Mark +
- The routine features a broad and well-distributed range of disciplines, each contributing meaningfully to the performance rather than appearing as brief token inclusions.
Baseline
- Multiple disciplines are present but not all are given meaningful time, or the variety feels imbalanced with one discipline clearly dominating.
Mark -
- The routine is dominated by one or two disciplines with little meaningful use of others, or additional disciplines appear only as brief transitions rather than as integral parts of the performance.