Appendix 02 – AEROBIC STEP FIG Rules and Guidelines

AEROBIC STEP (8 competitors)
This part should be read in conjunction with the main CoP, Part 2.
If not written in this part, apply the CoP.

• Group choreography 8 competitors (male/female/mixed), utilizing the Aerobic basic steps and arm movements with equipment of Step (platform), performing to the music. The routine must NOT include any Difficulty and Acrobatic elements.
• The Choreography must have a “THEME” and must express within the choreography utilizing the Step (platform).
• The routine must use the Step (platform) to the maximum throughout the routine by stepping with Aerobic Basic Steps in combination with arm movements.
• The routine must include the Step Block (consecutive 3 sets of 8-count = 24-counts) performed by all members on the same Step (platform) without moving or changing the Step.
• One of the important aspects is the SYNCHRONIZATION of all members as a unit.
• Acrobatic (including variation) and/or difficulty elements are not allowed.
•  
  < AGE >
• Senior: 18 years or more in the year of the competition
• Junior: 15-17 in the year of the competition
•  
  < COMPETITION AREA >
• 10m x 10m
•  
  < MUSIC LENGTH >
• Senior & Junior: 1’ 25” ± 5”
•  
  < MUSIC >
• Any style of music (world famous or well-known music is recommended)
•  
  < COLLABORATION >
• Maximum of 3 collaborations in the whole routine.
• Acro elements not allowed may be included in the Collaboration if ONLY with partner(s) support/help when landing.
•  
  < JUDGES >
  CJP (1), E-Jury (4-6), A-Jury (4-6), L-Jury (2), T-Jury (1)

• < DRESS CODE >
• Athletic Appearance.
• Unitard or Two-piece leotard (Pants, long leggings, shorts and tops) is allowed.
• The underwear must not be seen.
• Correct support must be worn.
• The attire can be different between the members but should be harmonized.
• Too large or too loose clothes are not allowed.  The body alignment must be seen.
• The competitor must wear supportive aerobic or sports shoes.
• Hair must be neat and secured but must not touch the face or the shoulders. Short ponytails are allowed.
• Additional items (tubes, sticks, balls, etc.), and accessories (belts, braces, bands, etc.) are not allowed.
• Attire depicting war, violence or religious themes is forbidden.
• No sequins allowed for men.
• A skirt that does not fall further than the pelvic area over the leotard, tights or the unitard is allowed.
• The style of the skirt (cut or decorations) is free, but the look of a ballet “tutu” is forbidden.

• Body paint is not allowed.
• Only skin color taping is allowed (no braces/grips).
• The pelvic/crotch area must be covered with non-transparent, non-skin colored material up to the hip bones.
• Leotards that are almost all skin colored (see Glossary) are not allowed.  It appears as nudity on TV.

< COLLABORATION >

• Maximum of 3 collaborations are allowed in a routine.
• If different collaborations are shown at the same time (starting at the same time), it is counted as 1 collaboration.

< PROHIBITED COLLABORATION >

• Pyramid height of the collaboration must not be higher than 2 persons standing in vertical position if included in static position.

 
< PROHIBITED MOVES >

• Building (stacking) the Steps (platforms) is not allowed except to use in the final pose, if included.  This means that after building the steps, these steps cannot be moved until the end of the routine.
• Propelling (throwing in the air) the Step (platform).
• Violently handling the Step (to kick and/or to throw the step to the other competitor or in the air).
• Jump from the step to the other step.
• Prohibited moves (P-1 to P-5).

 
< PROHIBITED LANDING >

• Acrobatic elements in the Collaboration landing without partner(s) support/help.
• Male gymnasts: Acrobatic variations landing in Split.
• Acrobatic variations landing in PU.

 
< ELEMENTS >

• Performing any Difficulty / Acrobatic element is not allowed including variations.

< DEDUCTION >
Make deductions and penalties by the Chair of Judges Panel:
 

< FUNCTION > (See also Part 2)
All movements must be performed with maximum precision (perfection).  Any deviation will be deducted from 10.0 points with increments of 0.1 point.
 
Evaluate a competitor with weakest or larger mistake as an error.
 
The E-Jury evaluates the Technical Skills of the whole routine from beginning till the end of the following movements (start / end positions included):

• Synchronization (key to AS)
• Stepping technique
• Transitions & Links
• Partnerships & Collaborations
• Placement of the Steps on the floor.

 
 
< ERRORS 

< CRITERIA AND DEDUCTION >
Evaluate perfect Execution with maximum precision while performing Step sequences, transitions and Partnerships.

Deductions for Choreography
Evaluate perfect Execution with maximum precision while performing AMP Dance sequences, 2^nd Style, transitions and Partnerships.

The work must be synchronized or in cannon.

• Evaluate all the competitors performing all movements with identical range of motion, precise timing, and same quality.

< FUNCTION > (See also Part 2)
The A-Jury evaluates all components of Choreography that matches perfectly with music and theme to transform a sport exercise into an artistic performance with creative and unique characteristics by respecting the specificity of Aerobic Gymnastics and Aerobic Step.
 
<Routine Components>

• Stepping Sequences
• Step Block
• Transitions / Links
• Partnerships / Collaboration
• Formation / Space

 
< THEME >
The routine must have a “THEME”. It should give a story to the choreography.  Theme must be expressed with the movements (stepping) and music (respecting the sport manner of Aerobic Gymnastics). The team must present choreography as a unit.  A routine without “Theme”, Artistry Deduction of -0.5 will apply.

< STEPPING Sequence >
Stepping with Aerobic Basic Steps (Step-up/Step-down, V-step, Knee-Lift, Kick, Step touch, Tap-up/Tap-down, Turn Step, Over the Top, Lunge, etc.) throughout the routine in combination with arm movements.  This does not mean to show the repetitions of the same stepping as in fitness class.
 
To be recognized as a Stepping sequence, all members must perform stepping action (up and down) at the same time and may change the platform used.  Stepping actions can be with different orientations and approaches to the Step.
 
The routine must include minimum of 9 Stepping sets (including the Step Block/ consecutive 3-sets) with variety of stepping throughout the routine.
 
< STEP BLOCK > (consecutive 3 sequence sets)
The routine must include consecutive 3 sets of 8-count (24-counts) stepping with the same steps performed by all members on their own step (platform) without moving to use other step (platform) during the whole Step Block.
 
This will be evaluated as same system as the Block of AMP sets.
 
< FORMATIONS / SPACE >
The choreography movements must be adequate for the Step (platform) and perform maximum of stepping with less choreography on the surface.
 
Choreography must show the change of formations in variety with or without the step (platform).  Also includes, different way to carry the step from one place to another.
 
Partnerships / collaborations between the members of the group and the Step (positioning of the step, usage of the step) should be shown but maximum of 3 collaborations in the routine.
 

1. Music (max. 2.0 pts)

Selection / Composition / Editing Quality / Musicality
 

2. Step Content (max. 2.0 pts)

Quantity / Quality / Variety
 

3. General Content (max. 2.0 pts)

Complexity / Variety / Space
 

4. Artistic Routine (max. 2.0 pts)

Construction / Structure / Theme
 

5. Performance (max. 2.0 pts)

Technical / Artistic Presentation