OCB FIGURE GUIDELINES

OCB Figure divisions consist of two parts: Group Comparisons and Individual Presentations. Two-piece suits and high-heeled shoes are used for both portions.

Group Comparisons - Physique Evaluations

Each class is brought to front center stage and is guided through quarter turns to display physiques from the front, left, back, and right. Physiques are scored based on feminine symmetry, toned muscularity and relative leanness. Toned muscularity means visible signs of strength training should be present. Relative leanness means a competitor should show good definition. There should be noticeable abdominal separation. There should be some visible lines in the quadriceps.

Posing form required is flexible. Competitors can use stances they feel display their physiques the best. For example, in the front stance, a competitor can keep both feet together and both arms down by her sides, or she could have one foot slightly in front of the other with a slight bend in the knee, slight twist at the waist turning her upper torso some, and/or have one hand on her hip (or both hands on her hips). The same leniency is allowed for the rear and side stances. However, in cases of close decisions where a judge is having a difficult time scoring placements for two or more competitors, specific forms may be requested of all competitors, such as both feet together, and arms down by sides for the front stance, or feet together looking straight ahead with arms down by sides in a side stance.

Stage Walks - Individual Presentations  

The individual presentation portion for Figure competitions is a stage walk. Competitors walk out to music and perform a “T” walk. A T-walk consists of walking out to rear center stage and pausing briefly in a stance of choice. Competitors than walk up to front center stage and perform a series of quarter turns, than walk to stage left and pause briefly, than walk to stage right and pause briefly, than walk to the front center of the stage and pause briefly, and finally walk off stage diagonally to the side from which they entered. The walk resembles a “T”, which is how it got its name.

Scoring

Each judge assigns one score in the form of rank during the group comparison rounds , such as 1st through 7th place for example. A highest and lowest rank for each competitor is dropped as a safeguard against bias, either for or against a particular competitor by a particular judge, and also as a protection against human error. The remaining judges' placements are summed, and the competitor with the lowest sum receives first place in the class. Second lowest sum receives 2nd place, and so on. If a tie occurs, placements are decided by the tie-breaker guidelines.

Additional Information:

Jewelry is permitted. Suits do not have to be plain suits of solid color. Competitors are free to use the suit style they prefer, as long as it’s a two-piece suit and is not a thong.