NGA FIGURE COMPETITION STANDARDS AS INDICATED IN NGA BY-LAWS V.1

NGA judges will consist of experienced fitness, figure, beauty and performance professionals.  A panel of five to seven impartial men and women will be scoring judges. High and low scores will be dropped and a placing system will be used. The head judge may be a scoring official. Ethical concerns are at the discretion of the NGA, the promoter and its officials.

In coordination with the NGA by-laws the following standards will be used as guidelines.

• A general athleticism to the body (a feminine conditioning) will be viewed in mandatory quarter turns.

• In each quarter turn: a relaxed erect stance, eyes and head facing the same direction as the body, heels together, feet inclined outward at a 30 degree angle, knees together and unbent, stomach in, chest out, shoulders back, arms relaxed at side and slightly back from center line of the body, elbows slightly bent.  As you turn, the positioning of the arms will cause the torso to torque toward judges and open up your features, lines, and shape.

• The contestant should show good balance, proportion and symmetry of her physique.

• From the front, shoulders should be well defined and flow nicely into the triceps and biceps.  There should be a taper in the lats into the oblique, noticeably flowing into the sweep of the upper thigh.  In general, her physique should show separation and conditioning but not be over lean or striated.

• From the side, her body should show a nice taper from the lat, to tie into the oblique -showing an “oblique sweep”.  The legs should be muscular with a minimum separation of the quads.  The calves should be well developed, and semi-flexed with the use of heels.

• From the back, the shoulders should be well toned, a balanced posture and the lats having a nice taper to the lumbar area. The glutes and hamstrings should be firm and should show a well-developed outer sweep to the thigh.  Calves will be firm and nicely developed. Limited body fat in this area is a strong adage.

• Presentation and color tone will be considered. We do not judge scars or tattoos.

• Transitions from each quarter turn should be fluid without hesitation and her poise must be well practiced.

• Overall polish, hair, make-up and accessories can make a difference. It is recommended you use heels, not platforms.  Pastel and skin colored suits wash out on stage. Body piercing is allowed, but jewelry should be limited.

• T-Walk will start from back of stage to the house music. At the pivot points, half turns and pauses will allow for hair repositioning, attitude display and professional demeanor. Waves and smiles are always nice.

COMPETITION ROUNDS AND RULES

Figure divisions are based on Promoters discretion and National ranking.  Novice and Open are separate divisions. Classes may be separated for judging purposes only. No cross-overs. How an athlete is moved around during this process does not determine the final outcome. All women are to participate at both day and evening line-ups. There are no cuts. Music is at the discretion of the promoter. All figure competitors should contact their NGA Promoter for contest specifics.

All figure athletes are drug tested.

PRE-JUDGING / MORNING OR EARLY AFTERNOON
Round One – Two-Piece Suit

• Contestants will be brought out all at once and do quarter turns. Solid color two-piece suits are required. Ornamentation, like sequins, is permitted. No thongs permitted. No oil may be used. Sheen is okay. Jewelry and hairpieces may be worn. No props are used. Heels are mandatory.

• Judges are scoring Shape/Symmetry and Tone/Condition. The judges may move you around. Keep smiling and listen to the calls. Body shape includes how the muscle groups are shaped, pleasing to the eye, balanced.

• Symmetry is how they fit together, the harmony and proportion of the physique. The body structure should have an equal ratio of torso to leg length, shoulders to hips, etc. This also includes the equal development of upper to lower body groups.

• The judges will look for a fitness type of physique, which includes a level of overall muscle tone achieved through athletic endeavors but not a bodybuilding development style. The muscles having a round and firm appearance, indicating muscle tone and condition. There should be muscle definition between major muscle groups, like biceps and Triceps, but not excessive separation or cut. Muscle tone also means the absence of excessive fat and water with a sense of overall body hardness. Judges will look for an even balance of muscle to frame and balance of body parts to each other.

FINALS / NIGHT SHOW
Round Two- Two-Piece Suit

• Contestants will be brought out again as a group. The two-piece swimsuit, solid in color and simple ornamentation is acceptable.  Additional accents are acceptable at this time.  Exiting off stage, you will be re- introduced individually for “T-Walks”.  Follow the stage directions given earlier, and stroll at a pace that will take up approximately: 60 seconds. You will be judged on Presentation/Poise. Judges are looking for confidence, grace and overall style. Charisma, inner beauty and appearance are taken into account. How you walk, carry yourself and “come across” is pertinent.

• A final line-up may follow. Judges may ask to compare contestants for any final comparisons.

• Each round will be worth one half of the total score.

• At the awards time, all ladies will come out for a final group stroll.

• The final Top Five will receive customized awards in both Novice and Open classes.

• The Overall Winner will receive her invitational application to join our Elite NGA Pro Figure Division.