Figure competitions consist of 2 parts: Group Comparisons, which are scored and Individual Presentations, which are not scored.

Two-piece suits are attached with crisscross straps in the back. Suits can be of any color and may be decorated with crystals.

Thong/T-back style suits are not permitted. Suit bottoms should adequately cover the center portion of the glutes and be firmly glued in place. (see photos below, which show acceptable suit bottoms)

For judges to best view the physique, competitors should have an evenly applied spray tan.

Competitors must wear clear, high heeled shoes, and may wear jewelry.

Figure athletes should display their number buttons on the front left hip and on the back center of their suits.

Competitors must be age 16 or over on the day of the event. Competitors under age 18 must have parental consent and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Competitors may not enter other categories in the same show, but may crossover into all of the divisions they are eligible for in their category.

Athletes posing in an overtly sexual manner, doing anything on stage considered inappropriate for younger audiences, or being disruptive to the show in any way may be disqualified.

Judging Criteria

Judging for Figure is based on symmetry, muscularity and conditioning. Leanness and muscle development are expected in figure, but NOT to the same degree as presented in Women’s Physique. Figure competitors should have a V-tapered structure, which begins with capped shoulders, a wide muscular back, and a small waist. Glutes and hips should be full and muscular. Quadriceps should have a thick sweep, visible cuts, and muscle separation, but not cross-striated. Hamstrings and calves should be visible, full and muscular. In general, figure competitors should have a healthy appearance, be lean, but not overly striated or grainy. They should not display deeply drawn-in faces or stringy-looking muscularity (an emaciated look), or less shapely muscularity due to muscle glycogen depletion.

Figure Symmetry: Balanced muscle proportion from top to bottom. Capped shoulders, wide lats, small waist, full round, glutes, sweeping quads, visible hamstrings and calves

Size: Muscular, proportioned, full muscle bellies from top to bottom.

Definition: Lean, visible separation/cuts in quads, hamstrings, abdominals, and back. Not grainy or overly striated muscles, with the exception of the shoulders. With the degree of leanness required of natural figure athletes, shoulder striations are common and are acceptable. Athletes should not display deeply drawn-in faces, a stringy-looking muscularity (an emaciated look), or less shapely muscularity due to muscle glycogen depletion.

Group Comparisons

Athletes will enter the stage together as a class, stand on a pre-marked line, and immediately get into their front relaxed position. The head judge will call for competitors to “quarter turn to the right.” Competitors will be given time to transition and be viewed by the panel in 4 poses: front, side, rear, and side. The head judge will continue with quarter turns until the entire lineup has been scored by the judges. In order to properly assess figure athletes, it is imperative that they consistently pose so their features are on display to the judges with every quarter turn. Not performing poses in the manner specified may result in lower scoring from judges.

At any time, the head judge may request competitors switch places on stage. Athletes should listen for their number, raise their hand if called, and look for the other competitor to raise their hand. When called, competitors should then walk respectfully over to the other location and resume their posing position. Please note that in the OCB, an athlete’s location on the stage is not an indicator of placement.

When in the back pose, figure athletes should pull long hair aside, to avoid obstructing view of the back in the rear pose.

Front Pose

• The whole body, including the hips must face the judges..
• Heels must be together and in line without either foot ahead of the other. Toes must face the judges, but may be pointing slightly outward per athlete's preference to accentuate the quads.
• Arms must remain to the sides, but not touching the body. For reference, they should be approximately finger length away from the sides of the body, not too close or spread too far wide. Hands and fingers should appear relaxed, not pointed, spread out, or clasped in a fist
• To form the V-taper, shoulders should be posed to appear rounded and broad while the lats are open wide and flared
• Legs should be flexed to display separation in the quads. Athletes should not squat or sit in the pose.

Side Poses: Right & Left

• Hips and feet face the side of the stage with feet flat on the surface. Feet can be offset only half the distance of the foot (front or back foot offset).
• With hips facing the side of the stage, the upper body should be turned 35 degrees toward judges so that the width across the chest, back elbow, and rear shoulder can be seen. Competitors should avoid overly twisting towards the judges.
• The arm facing the judges should be down with lats flared, so it shouldn't touch the sides of the body. The arm should also not be too far away from the body. The hands and fingers of this arm should appear relaxed, not pointed, spread out, or clasped in a fist.
• The arm opposite from the judges should be bent with the fist positioned on the waist or hip.
• Long hair should be moved so that the upper body is fully visible in this pose.

Rear Pose

• Both feet must be in line together or very close with the toes point forward or slightly out.
• Competitors should move their hair to one side so their back is fully visible to the judges.
• Arms must remain to the sides, but not touching the body. For reference, they should be approximately fingertip length away from the sides of the body, not too close or spread too far wide. Hands and fingers should appear relaxed, not pointed, spread out, or clasped in a fist. Palms should not be facing the judges.
• Shoulders are broadly displayed with the back wide and lats flared open. A V-Taper structure should be visible from the shoulders to the waist
• The upper body should be completely upright while the glutes and hamstrings are made visible.

View the tutorial.

Watch a class being judged.

Individual Presentations

The individual presentation portion is the stage walk. The individual presentation is not factored into placement scoring. At the promoter’s discretion, walks may be performed in a “I” or “T” formation. Some events will use house music, while other events may allow competitors to submit their own music. If you are not sure which type of walk or music offerings are being offered at a particular event, read the event registration details or contact the event promoter directly.

“I” Walk – Competitors walk directly to the rear center of the stage, which will be marked with an “X.” They will pause briefly in a pose of their choice, then walk directly to the front center stage, which will also be marked with an “X.” Here they will perform quarter or half turns with poses of their choice to provide a full view of their physique. They will then exit the stage. “I” walks are performed to house music. Athletes should be prepared to enter and exit from either side of the stage as different venues have different stage layouts.

“T” Walk – Competitors will be given 30-60 seconds (times will vary depending on the event) to pose and perform to music. Competitors will walk directly to the rear center of the stage, which will be marked with an “X.” They will pause briefly in a pose of their choice, then walk directly to front center stage, which will also be marked with an “X.” Here they will perform quarter or half turns with poses of their choice to provide a full view of their physique. To form the “T,” competitors will then walk to the left or right corner of the stage where there will be an “X” marked for them to pause and strike a pose. They will then cross to the other corner of the stage, stop at the “X” and hit another pose. The competitor will then return to the center “X” on the stage where they may hit another pose and exit. Athletes should be prepared to enter and exit from either side of the stage as different venues have different stage layouts.

See the stage path.

Watch a presentation.