SYO Sat, Nov 14, 2026 · Springfield Civic Center Registration open · closes Sat, Nov 7, 2026 · 39 days to go

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SYOSat, Nov 14, 2026 · Springfield, IL

Contest rules

Rules

Springfield Yo-Yo Open 2026 · Sat, Nov 14, 2026 · Springfield, IL

Contest rules

Contest Ruleset

Freestyles follow the National Yo-Yo League (NYYL) freestyle rules, the ruleset for U.S. contests. When this page and the NYYL rules disagree, NYYL wins.

Freestyle Format

  • Routine lengths are listed with each division on the Register page.
  • NYYL lets organizers pick routine lengths and rounds to fit the field and the day.
  • Music must be appropriate for all audiences. No profanity, slurs, or explicit themes. Inappropriate music means disqualification.

Equipment

  • Use yo-yos legal for your registered division.
  • String and accessories are your responsibility.
  • Judges may inspect equipment before you compete.

Music & Performance

  • Send your music by Thu, Nov 12, 2026.
  • Pre-recorded tracks only. No live music.
  • Be ready when you're called. Missing your slot forfeits your spot.

Judging & Conduct

  • Judging follows NYYL scoring. See How Scoring Works below.
  • Judge decisions are final. Under NYYL rules, the head judge and contest organizer have the final word.
  • Respectful conduct is required. Unsportsmanlike behavior may mean disqualification.
  • Venue rules apply to everyone. Organizers may adjust the format based on registration numbers.

These rules can change before registration opens. Questions? Email contest@example.org.

Sources: NYYL: Freestyle Rules for NYYL Events · IYYF: Contest Rules

Judging

How Scoring Works

Every routine gets two scores: Technical Execution from clickers, and a Routine Evaluation in four categories. Major deductions come off the top.

Points by Division

  • 1A and X Division: Technical Execution 60 + Routine Evaluation 40 (four categories, 10 each) = 100.
  • Sport / Beginner: Technical Execution 20 + Routine Evaluation 80 (four categories, 20 each) = 100. It rewards presentation, not trick count.
  • Your final score is the average across the judging panel.

Technical Execution (Clickers)

  • Each judge holds two counters: one for landed elements, one for misses.
  • One click for a hard but low-risk element. Riskier elements can earn more.
  • Repeats score less or nothing. No clicks for moves that don't show yo-yo skill.
  • Sport / Beginner uses no negative clicks.
  • Each judge's top raw score becomes the full 60 (20 in Sport), and everyone else scales against it.

Routine Evaluation

  • Trick Presentation: mastery of your tricks and the style you show them in.
  • Performance Quality: professionalism, stage use, and playing to the audience.
  • Musicality: hitting music cues and pacing tricks to the song.
  • Routine Construction: trick choice and order, and how it all fits together.

Major Deductions (1A & X)

  • Stop, −1: the yo-yo stops with the string fully unwound.
  • Discard, −3: you swap yo-yos, or can't bring it back to your hand wound when the routine ends.
  • Detach, −5: the yo-yo comes off the string (except 4A), the string breaks, or the yo-yo comes apart.
  • With two yo-yos, deductions count per yo-yo. Sport / Beginner has no major deductions.

X Division clicker scores are multiplied by style before normalization, so styles compete fairly. Check the current NYYL rules for the multipliers.