FAME FIGURE TIPS & SUGGESTIONS

TIPS FOR THE FIGURE COMPETITOR

Tanning
Athletes tend to look better on stage when they are dark - so it is a good idea for athletes to pretan - either outside or indoors. Try to avoid tanning creams the day of the contest as they tend to streak, look unnatural, &/or get too dark.  Also be careful around your face.  You may want to use proper face makeup to match the color of the rest of your body.

Practice Your Turns!
Turns should be executed as gracefully as possible. Keep your head up. Stand straight. Don't look down.  Feel free to add your own personality or signature into your turns.

Practice Your Walk!
Everyone has a different style of walk. How you walk does actually count for a lot of your scoring. It affects your marks for poise, confidence, general impression. So practice walking - and females you should practice in high heels.

Remember
Do NOT clench your fists.  All poses, even in your routine, must be performed with open fingers.  You can be given demerit points if you don't abide by this rule. 

Flips & Inverted Moves
A definite 'no' for figure athletes.  If you want to perform flips etc, you can opt to compete in bodybuilding or fitness.  Performing a flip in figure could result in demerit points from every single judge which would obviously hurt your overall placing.

Posedown
Once the house music is turned up loud, and the emcee announces 'POSEDOWN' all athletes have to try to outpose and outdo each other.  Sometimes it helps to practice your posing sequence ahead of time. Other times it's fun to play around with the athletes and audience.  The point is that you want to be seen by the judges in the best light.  Bring attention to yourself and 'posedown'! 

Muscularity
Should you be concerned that you have too much muscularity or striations for Figure, you can always decide to compete in bodybuilding instead or as well. You are still able to perform all your poses with open hands - but you must also just practice the most muscular poses, and the front & rear lat spread.  You have up until the Athlete Registration meeting to make your final decision.

Forget About the Judges
Look straight ahead rather than down at the judges.

Head Up
Walking with your head up exudes confidence and poise! Do not talk to other athletes on stage, or fidget with your suit.

Clothing
Clothing must cover all critical body parts. Provocative Clothing or Gestures will not be tolerated. There are actually demerit points given if judges feel the athletes are in violation of this rule. No G-strings, thongs etc.

Posing Oils
Posing oils help to accentuate your musculature. Be careful not to lather it on as too shiny can detract from your physique. 

Tattoos
Many athletes have tattoos. Generally tattoos are fine, however, if they are large or covering up your muscle definition, you may want to try to cover them up with a product such as Dermablend.  

Piercings
Navel piercings, earrings, nose rings etc. are fine.

Accessories:
Keep accessories down to a minimum for the symmetry round.  Earrings are okay.

High Heels
Generally the clear bottom high heel shoes are the shoes of choice as they tend to not draw the attention of the judges downward.  The height of the heels are your choice but you should obviously select based on your height, and ability to walk in them comfortably.  Make sure to practice walking in the heels you will be wearing prior to the competition.  If you are unstable in them, your best bet is to wear a different pair. 

Backstage
Limited to athletes, WNSO staff, judges, WNSO officials. Coaches, Parents, siblings, boyfriends, girlfriends, hair dressers, makeup artists etc. are not permitted to go backstage. There are several reasons for this:

• it gives you a chance to bond with each, make new friends, & help each other out
• it gets way too congested backstage if every single athlete had someone with them
• it's very difficult to keep track of everyone & we've had theft problems in the past.
• the 1 or 2 athletes with out anyone backstage feel left out.  So it's not fair to those athletes who travel in by themselves.

Music
Music selection and recording can make or break your routine.  Please make sure to have your music professionally recorded.  Contact us for name suggestions.

• Do not hand us your only copy of your routine music. Always keep a backup or the original at home. Based on this rule, we will assume all music can be discarded after the event.  If you would like it back, it is your responsibility to pick it up after the event right from the DJ.
• Best to burn your routine music to a CD.  It sounds much better than a tape recording and it is much easier to navigate.
• If using a tape, please make sure to record your music at high quality. Your music should be recorded at the beginning of both sides of the tape. Be sure to start your music immediately after the white strip stops and the black strip appears. This will allow our music operators to just press play and your music will start.
• Bring a back-up copy of your music in case there's a problem with the original
• Try to keep quality of the music high - no background static. Use a proper DJ to record it.
• Do not select music that has profanity as this could cause you to lose marks
• Do select music that has a fun beat or rhythm that you can work with &/or get a DJ to make rhythm changes.
• Select music that will help to display your personality & creativity
• To end your routine, it's best to cut the music off or fade it out.  This beats walking off stage while it is still playing, as it leaves the audience feeling your routine was unfinished (unless there's a point to it).
• If your routine music starts late, sounds bad, or there is a technical difficulty, please remember that you are still being judged. Your reaction and how you handle the situation will be noted.  Please also note, that any time there is a technical issue, you will be permitted to start your routine over.

Athlete Meeting
Athletes must be at the Athlete Meeting prior to the event.  This is when you will receive your competitor numbers, go through the first stage of drug testing (the Physique Screening Panel), and ask all your questions.

Drug Testing
Please familiarize yourself with the Drug Testing Policy. Athletes who do not show for their drug test, and leave prior to getting tested, or who refuse to get tested, may be banned from the event, future WNSO events and will lose any title they may have won.  WNSO performs random testing out of competition as well. If you are selected to partake in this random test, you must comply.

Reliability / Punctuality
It is your responsibility to show up to the event on time for your division. If you miss your time on stage, unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done as the judging must be done in a particular order.  If you decide to leave the backstage area, you must ensure you are ready in time for your division to go on stage. Anyone who misses their cue will be cut from the contest.

Attitude
A positive attitude is very important.  Keep this in mind, even if you are  disappointed or angry at a judging call, at another athlete, for making a mistake, for slipping. can not resort to swearing and heated arguments at the event. They will be disqualified from that event &/or future events. There is a penalty for profanity & a poor attitude on stage

Have Fun!!!
Sure it's a competition, but it's meant to be fun. Enjoy the experience!