Male Division
The answer is = SYMMETRY, SIZE and SEPARATION
What does that mean?
SYMMETRY (and PROPORTION)
Symmetry is a key ingredient in a winning physique & one that owes its qualities in large part to the genetics of the competitor. Wide shoulders, narrow hips, trim waist & a deep rib-cage are genetically endowed qualities on which a championship physique can be built.
A proportionate physique is one that has no overall development in which each individual body part complements the others in both size & shape.
The upper body should not be developed to the extent that it overpowers the lower body & vice-versa.
All body parts should flow in harmony with no body part being over developed to the detriment of the others.
Right & left sides should be equally developed, so as to not exhibit any readily observable differences in size.
SIZE (MUSCLE MASS)
First and foremost, a physique contest is a body building contest. Contestants must exhibit a degree of muscular development which will vary according to the class being judged. In the WFF categories the height and weight restrictions mean that a slimmer style of physique will be on display. Criteria such as Symmetry (above) and Separation (below) apply equally in judging of the WFF classes.
SEPARATION (and DEFINITION)
This factor must be considered in conjunction with muscle mass. Separation is the delineation between the muscle groups of the physique. Excess fatty tissue under the skin blurs this muscular division resulting in a smooth appearance. Definition is the display of the individual muscles & muscle fibres (often referred to as 'ripped' or 'shredded').
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Free Posing Round
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Symmetry Round
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Comparison Round
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Group Pose-down Round
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Trophy Award/Presentation
1. Free Posing Round
Each competitor will perform a 60-90 second routine to music to display her figure, physical conditioning and overall presentation. Theatrical Props may be used.
The only differences between NABBA & WFF Classes are the height/weight restriction imposed.
The WFF Men's Athletic is a smaller version of a Men's NABBA competitor however it is still based on bodybuilding criteria.
2. Symmetry Round
All competitors will present on stage in numerical order facing the judges. The head judge will call heels together facing the front. A series of quarter turns will follow. Competitors will be viewed from the left side, from the rear, from the right side and from the front. Twisting is preferred on the left and right sides presenting a small waist and broad shoulders.
3. Comparison Round
Five poses make up the comparison round for the women.
- Front double biceps
- Side chest
- Side triceps
- Back double biceps
- Abdominal and thighs
The Men Competition Round 1: Individual Free Posing
In this round each contestant performs their individual posing routine to their own selection of music. There is a time limit of 90 seconds and all music should be supplied on CD with a back-up copy available.
The judges will look for a routine which is entertaining, compliments and enhances the physique of the competitor, showing their better features whilst disguising the weaker ones. The competitor should have an empathy with the music selected, using movements in time to the rhythm or beat of the music without uncoordinated moves that are too fast for the audience and the judges to appreciate whilst digesting the competitor’s physique.
Round 2: Symmetry
All competitors appear in numerical order in one line across the stage (when there is large number of competitors, the head judge may choose to dissect the line into two or three sections to allow clearer vision of the competitors by the judges). The line is then taken through a series of quarter turns. In this round the competitors will be closely scrutinized for any genetic, structural or proportional defects that could affect their placing and are scored accordingly.
Round 3: Compulsory Posing
These poses are designed to allow the judges to view development of every muscle from different angles, thus ensuring the individual judge has a good basis for "callouts" (competitor comparisons). After the competitors have completed these poses as a group, each individual judge has an opportunity to call out only the competitors he wishes to view in further comparison.
Round 4: POSEDOWN Compulsory Poses – Men
1.Front Double Biceps
Standing facing the judges with heels together the competitor will raise both arms to shoulder level bending them at the elbows. The hands should be clenched and turned inwards. This will cause the biceps and forearm muscles to contract. In addition, the competitor should attempt to contract as many frontal muscles as possible.
2.Front Lat Spread
Standing facing the judges with heels together, the competitor will place the hands, either open or clenched, against the lower waist and will expand the latissimus dorsi ( lats ). At the same time, the competitor should attempt to lift the rib cage and contract as many other frontal muscles including legs as possible.
3.Side Chest
The competitor will quarter turn to the side as instructed by the head judge showing his left or right side. He will bend the front arm nearest to the judges to a right angle position with the fist clenched, and with the other hand will grasp the wrist. The front leg nearest to the judges will be bent at the knee and will rest on the toes. The competitor will expand the chest and by upward pressure on the front bent arm, contract the biceps as much as possible. He will also contract the thigh muscles, in particular the biceps femora’s group, he will also display contracted calves.
4.Back Double Biceps
The competitor will stand facing the rear of the stage, back to the judges; he will bend the arms & wrists as in the front double biceps, and will place one foot back resting on the toes. He will contract the arm muscles, along with the muscles of the shoulders, upper & lower back, thigh & calf muscles.
5.Back Lat Spread
The competitor will stand facing the rear of the stage, back to the judges; he will place his hands on his waist with the elbows kept wide, one foot back resting on the toes. He will then contract the lats as widely as possible & display one calf contracted.
6.Side Triceps
The competitor will quarter turn to the side, again as instructed by the head judge. He will stand with his left or right side towards the judges & will place both arms behind his back. He can either interlock his fingers or grasp the front arm by the wrist with his rear hand. The front leg nearest the judges will be bent at the knee & will rest on the toes. The competitor will exert pressure against his front arm thereby causing the triceps muscle to contract. He will also raise the chest & contract the abdominals as well as the thighs & calves.
7.Abdominals & Thigh
Standing facing the judges, the competitor will place both arms behind the head and place one leg forward. He will then contract the abdominals by "crunching" the trunk slightly forward. At the same time, he will contract the thigh of the forward leg. 8.Most muscular Standing facing the judges the competitor will strike a pose that best demonstrates their overall muscularity.
