Judging and Scoring

ANBF Scoring Procedures

To balance the importance of each facet of a competitor’s physique, as well as overall presentation and stage presence, we have created a more competitor friendly, and criteria specific scoring system. The scoring system addresses each criterion individually, with the result being a more accurate and clearer overall score and placement for the athlete. The scoring system will enable the competitor to better understand which of the three criteria they excel at or need improvement on compared to the others in their class.

Judging Criteria & Scoring

Judging for placements within each class will take place during group comparisons. Each judge will assign placements for competitors based on the criteria below. The highest and lowest placement for each competitor in each criterion is dropped as a safeguard against bias, whether intentional or on a subconscious level.  The remaining judges’ placements for each criterion are then summed up.

Below are the three criteria that are scored with their percentage of toward the total score. Judges will evaluate competitors on the following criteria:

Symmetry

40%

Symmetry score is a measurement of the evenness of development of the competitor’s physique and how well the parts of the physique flow together. It includes the balance and proportion of the competitor from side to side, top to bottom and front to back. Symmetry is a measurement of evenness of development between all muscle groups and proportion when viewed from all sides. No body part or muscle group should stand out from the rest.

Muscularity &
Conditioning

40%

Muscularity refers to muscle size and development relative to the competitor’s frame, including shape and size. The level of muscularity is determined by the extent of development in relation to the size of the competitor’s skeletal structure. Also to be considered is the shape and contour of the developed muscle and muscle groups. Conditioning refers to the level of differentiation between adjacent muscles delineating sections or fibers within the same muscle group and the degree of firmness (hardness) of muscle tone. Leanness is important but an overly dieted appearance is neither advantageous nor desirable. These are combined scores and are based on adherence to the divisional guidelines for muscularity and conditioning.**

Posing &
Presentation

20%

Posing/Presentation score is a measurement of how well the competitor presents herself and displays their physique on stage as well as adherence to ANBF posing guidelines when they are doing the mandatory poses with their class. Competitors should present themselves with poise, good posture and confidence and should utilize posing that enhances their physique (i.e. no overly pointed elbows, arms too far from midline of body, or inability to display symmetry (lats flared except in bikini). Competitors should be able to quickly and smoothly transition between poses.

Stage walks will be judged separately as part of the competitor’s presentation.  Each stage walk/routine will be scored using the following system: -1 (no effort, bad choice of poses to display physique), 0 (good overall display of physique utilizing proper choices of poses to show strengths, nice effort), +1 (excellent display of physique, good choice of poses), +2 (exceptional display of physique with exceptional choice of poses to highlight strengths). The stage walk/routine scores will be totaled and averaged and the amount will be deducted (or added) from/to the competitors score to determine final placement with rank going from lowest, 1st, to highest.

**The expected level of muscularity and conditioning for each division can be found in the specific division guidelines which are listed on the ANBF website, anbfnatural.com.  If there is a question, free feel to contact Kent Bierly at [email protected]

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