ONBF.org

MESSAGE TO THE JUDGES

Judges,

On behalf of Cory Gregory and I, we would like to thank you for your interest in the ONBF.  We are honored to be judging side by side with professional and knowledgeable athletes of your level.  The judge’s ultimate objective here at the ONFB is to judge all competitors fairly, actively seek out those suspected of using steroids and remain approachable to the natural competitors. Integrity will be our guide during the judging process.  We sincerely hope that you enjoy your involvement with the ONBF and wish you the best of luck.                                                                 

Cory Gregory                                                                            Tom Basso

ONBF President                                                                       ONBF Head Judge

DRUG TESTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

All competitors participating at ONBF events are subject to drug testing.  Promoters have the option to conduct a urine test, polygraph test or voice stress test.  Promoters have the right to request additional methods of drug testing other than what is specified for the particular event.  These may include blood testing or hair testing.  The head judge and medical director will select competitors to be tested with input from the judging staff.  The final decision on all questionable drug testing results rests with the ONBF Medical Director, Dr. Eric Serrano M.D. and defers to the head judge in his absence. 

All ONBF competitors must be completely free of performance – enhancing drugs.  The length of time a competitor must be drug free is five years.  The ONBF has the right to increase this time and any such changes will be announced in advance.  The following substances and related compounds are banned by the Ohio Natural Bodybuilding Federation and their use constitutes grounds for dismissal from ONBF competitions and suspension from membership in the organization.

BANNED SUBSTANCES

• ANABOLIC STEROIDS.  Including but not limited to bolasterone, boldenone, chloroxomesterone(dhydrochlormethyltesterone), clostebol, fluoxymesterone, mesterolone, methandienone (methandrostenolone), methenolone, methyltestosterone, nandrolone, norethandrolone, oxymetholone, stanozolol, testerone and all other related compounds. 
• TESTOSTERONE.  (injections, patches, gels) in any form or for any reason.
• TESTOSTERONE/EPITESTOSTERONE RATIO.  The T/E ratio is used to measure the presence of exogenous testosterone, or illicit elevation of testosterone levels.  A T/E ratio in excess of 6/1 is ruled as a positive, no matter what the cause.  Note:  Should the use of any substance cause an elevated T/E ratio in excess of the 6/1 limit, the competitor will be ruled as positive (failure).
• GROWTH HORMONES.  (Pharmaceutical HGH, HCG and any other related compounds).  Oral, spray or sublingual GH compounds are also banned.
• HORMONES AND ALL PRECURSORS & METABOLITES, DERIVATIVES AND RELATED COMPOUNDS.  The use of any hormone (injectable, sublingual or otherwise) for bodybuilding purposes, including insulin, is strictly prohibited. All hormonal precursors (DHEA, androstenedoine, 19-norandrostenedione, androstenediol, 5-AD, 7-KetoDHEA, androsteneTRIONE, etc.) are banned effective October 1, 2004.  Prescription thyroid hormone medication when used for bodybuilding purposes is banned.  Pro-Steroids (1-Test), etc. are banned.  The presence of any banned substance in the urine no matter how it arrived there is ruled as a positive (failure).
• PRESCRIPTION DIURETICS.  Fen-Phen and any other prescription weight-loss substances used for bodybuilding purposes, even when physician-prescribed, are banned by the ONBF.
• PSYCHOMOTOR STIMULANTS.  (Amphetamines etc.)
• MUSCLE IMPLANTS OF ANY KIND.
• CHEMICALS / DRUGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DECEIVING OR PASSING THE POLYGRAPH TEST.
• CLENBUTEROL AND GHB.
• ANY ILLEGAL OR ILLICIT BODYBUILDING DRUG OR SUBSTANCE.
• ANY FDA AND IOC BANNED SUBSTANCE EXCEPT IF SPECIFICALLY OTHERWISE INDICATED.

JUDGES

The ONBF will attempt to schedule a minimum of five judges and no more than seven judges. Judges are required to write notes about competitors so they can be used to educate a competitor on his / her strengths and weaknesses.  Notes can be taken on the judges score sheet and later used to inform the competitor of his / her strengths and weaknesses. Judges should remain present for at least 15 minutes after the completion of the contest to be available to talk to the competitors about their placing.  Judges receive $50.00 for their judging services.

DIVISIONS AND CLASSES

JUNIOR MEN

24 Years & Under

NOVICE MEN

170  Under &

170 Over

MASTER’S DIVISIONS

Men 38 Over

FIGURE WOMEN

1 Class

MEN’S OPEN

Lightweight – 143 ¼ - 154 ¼

Middleweight –154 ¼ - 174 ¼

 Light Heavy – 174 ¼ - 194 ¼

 Heavy – 194 ¼ -over

WOMEN’S OPEN

Lightweight – 117 ¼

Heavyweight – 117 ¼

BODYBUILDING JUDGING CRITERIA

Competitors are judged on the total package as a NATURAL bodybuilder.  The bodybuilder should strive to develop a balanced physique. The quality of this development is determined by the overall assessment of these four related areas:

·         Symmetry

·         Density

·         Conditioning

·         Presentation

With this in mind the following criteria will be used when judging bodybuilders:

(1)      Symmetry

Competitors should display proportion, shape and balance of the musculature in a relaxed and flexed state taking into consideration overall bone structure.  There should be a balanced development of muscle groups in relation to each other.  Factors that should be considered include:

   Facing forward:

Ø       Length of arms proportional to length of body.

Ø       Shape:  Balance of the upper body to the lower body, the arms to the legs and the forearms to the calves.

                Facing sideways:

Ø       Proportion and balance of arms and legs

Ø       Alignment of the rib cage and chest to glutial area.

               Facing backward:

Ø       Upper back in proportion to glutial area.

Ø       Shape of upper thigh and calf area for comparison with rear view of the arms.

Ø       Width of back in relation to gluteus.

Note:  Proportion, shape and balance denotes “aesthetic lines.”

(2)      Muscle Density

The competitor will display depth and fullness in the muscle bellies.  They will display muscle density that has been achieved through training, giving the muscles a full healthy look.  Judges should look for the total degree of muscular development.

(3)      Conditioning

Competitors will display a physique having low body-fat and striations without looking too skinny. Judges are looking for the absence of fat making muscles clearly visible through the skin surface.  Muscular separation and definition should be apparent from training and proper diet, not from starvation and lack of training which results in a stringy look to the muscles.  Do not be impressed by definition of “stringy” looking muscles. Judges must look for separation and definition only achieved through the combination of both proper diet and training.

(4)      Presentation

Competitors are judged by evaluating how the bodybuilder presents his physique overall.  Taken into consideration will be the competitors,

A.  External appearance (tan,oil etc):  The competitor’s external appearance should be pleasing to the eye and present a natural look.  Excessive running of the tanning product, a pale appearance and / or too much oil or spray takes away the pleasing and natural look of the physique and should be judged accordingly.  During all four quarter turns, the judge must look at the general appearance as well as skin color tone and evenness, blemishes and proper application of oil.

B.  Posing:  Physical conditioning and professional posing will be           considered by the judge.  The competitor should be able to hold the pose as long as required by the judges, displaying stamina and physical conditioning.  A competitor who is able to hold a pose for a specified amount of time is an indicator of one that has practiced posing.  Posing is an art! Competitors should strike and hold a pose in a manner that is indicative of one who has studied and practiced posing to display their physique in the best possible position that is appealing to the judge’s eye. 

BODYBUILDING FORMAT

Round 1 – Symmetry, density, conditioning, presentation

Competitors will first be asked to stand with heels together and make quarter turns so the judges can assess them for symmetry.  After quarter turns, competitors will be instructed to perform the mandatory poses and will be assessed for density and conditioning.  Judges may consider presentation during the quarter turns and / or mandatory poses. The mandatory poses are:

Front Double Bicep

Front Lat Spread

Best Side Chest

Best Side Triceps

Best Side Serratus

Rear Lat Spread

Rear Double Bicep

Abdominal and Thigh

Crab Most Muscular

Optional poses that may or may not be called are:

                                                                     Hamstring Curl

Calves

Hands on Hips Most Muscular

The judges may ask to see certain competitors together and change the order of the line up at any time during this round and may request to see certain poses again for closer comparison of select individuals.  The round concludes once all judges are finished scoring all competitors.

Round 2 – Individual Routine

Competitors will individually perform posing routines to music lasting no longer than 90 seconds.

The music shall be appropriate for all ages and no foul language is permitted.  Props are allowed at the night show; however, thongs and G-strings are prohibited.  The best poser will be determined by the judges at this time. No other judging will take place.  Judges will assess musical routines on creativity and crowd applause.

Immediately following the posing routines to music, the class winners (1-5) and best posers are posted in the pump up room.  The head judge will supply the emcee with the finalists.  The emcee will call out the finalists in numerical order. There will be a few minutes of free posing allowed for the audience, but no actual judging is done at this time.  The emcee will announce the final placing starting with 5^th or whatever the last place is and work up to first.  The trophy is awarded as the place is announced.

 Each open class winner then advances into the Overall Pose down.  The head judge guides them through the quarter turns then the mandatory poses and then they are given 2-3 minutes of free posing with some background music.  While the free posing is being done, the judges should mark their sheets placing the competitors from 1st to 5th and give their sheets as quickly as possible to the head judge so the scores can be tallied.  The judge’s scores are compiled to determine the overall winner. 

SCORING

The traditional placement system will be used.  Each judge assigns one score in the form of rank for round 1 (symmetry, density, conditioning and presentation round), such as 1^st through eight place as example.  The highest and lowest rand for each competitor is dropped as a safeguard against subjectivity either for or against a particular competitor by a particular judge.  The remaining judge’s placements are totaled, and the lowest total receives first place in the class.  Second lowest total receives 2^nd place, and so on.  If a tie results in scoring, the competitor who was ranked higher by a majority of all judges on the panel is placed higher.  For example, if competitor A scores 2-3-2-3-2 and competitor B scores 3-1-3-2-3 on a judging panel consisting of 5 judges, both sums total 12.  Competitor A was ranked higher by three of the 5 judges and therefore would receive higher placement.

FIGURE JUDGING CRITERIA

The figure competitors will be judged in three categories – symmetry, conditioning, poise and stage presence.

(1)      Poise & Stage Presence:  Judges are scoring on poise, grace and elegance. Competitors should present themselves in a manner that appears comfortable and confident to the judges.  Judges also consider make-up, hair, skin tone, suit and any other components related to overall presence.

(2)      Symmetry:  A balanced, even looking physique.  All body parts equally shaped in proportion to other body parts.

(3)      Conditioning:  Judges will look for a overall fit look, a small degree of

muscularity with separation and no visible striations.  Muscle tone should be firm and round with no excessive leanness and visible signs of strength training should be present.

BODYBUILDING FORMAT

Round 1 – Poise and stage presence (Two Piece)

Competitors will individually walk from the side of the stage to the middle “x” and perform three eloquent figure poses that best displays their physique to the judges.  Judges are assessing poise and stage presence at this time.  Upon completing the 3 figure poses, the competitor will perform a knee bend to the judges and then move to the right rear corner of the stage so the next competitor can be judged. 

Round 2 – Symmetry and conditioning

After all competitors have individually performed their three figure poses the head judge will request that they line up together as a group facing the judges at an angle in the relaxed position.  The head judge will then guide the competitors through quarter turns so they may be scored for symmetry and conditioning.   The head judge may ask for additional quarter turns and figure poses individually or as a group until all scoring is complete.

Round 3 – Finals (one piece)

Figure competitors will begin the evening show and no scoring will take place in round 3.  The competitors walk to center stage as a group.  The head judge will then request that the competitors perform quarter turns as a group.  The head judge will then request that each competitor individually perform one figure pose that best displays their physique to the judges and audience. The figure competitors are then awarded their prizes from 5^th to 1^st place.

SCORING

The traditional placement system will be used.  Each judge assigns one score in the form of rank for round 1 and 2 (poise & stage presence, symmetry and conditioning).  The highest and lowest rank for each competitor is dropped as a safeguard against subjectivity either for or against a particular competitor by a particular judge.  The remaining judge’s placements are totaled, and the lowest total receives first place in the class.  Second lowest total receives 2^nd place, and so on.  If a tie results in scoring, the competitor who was ranked higher by a majority of all judges on the panel is placed higher.  For example, if competitor A scores 2-3-2-3-2 and competitor B scores 3-1-3-2-3 on a judging panel consisting of 5 judges, both sums total 12.  Competitor A was ranked higher by three of the 5 judges and therefore would receive higher placement.