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Judges Outline | Bodybuilding | Figure

RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN NGA JUDGE
The duties and responsibilities of being a judge of a bodybuilding competition can not be taken lightly. Competitors work extremely hard to prepare for contests, harder than athletes in most other sports, and deserve to be judged as thoroughly and equitably as possible. While a judge brings all of his worldly experiences and emotions to the table with him, these must be kept in check to insure that his/her placements are the result of objective analysis as opposed to subjective opinions. The judging criteria must be rigidly followed while all attempts should be made to avoid the common tendencies which can compromise accurate judging. In addition, judges must be accountable for their decisions and accessible to the athletes.

Judges must also maintain a level of accuracy deemed appropriate by the NGA as well as conduct characterized by professionalism and dedication. The goal of the NGA is to crown the finest bodybuilding athlete, without respect to size or reputation. Careful attention must be made to muscle quality, muscle separation and striations, symmetry (correct proportion), vascularity, absence of visible body fat, posing ability, and overall presentation and stage presence.

While "ripped" competitors are desirable, "emaciated (anorexic-looking) competitors are not. Lean shape should be accompanied by quality muscularity. Furthermore, bodybuilders should also be judged on their ability to follow directions and act professionally (e.g.: hitting poses when commanded to do so, etc.).

Prejudging (day show)
Relaxed poses from front, left side, rear, and right side. Competitors should be semi-flexed, not aggressively posing. The feet should remain flat on the floor and the body and head facing stage left and stage right for the side shots.

One minute of individual free posing (optional). Should be omitted in shows with a large quantity of competitors. Athletes will be called in groups of three to six to stage front for Mandatory Pose comparisons. The following mandatory poses shall be used by judging panels associated with the NGA.

These poses should be presented such that the judge may make a clear determination of comparisons, with contestants not turning from side-to-side (unless instructed). Contestants must hit the pose and relax on the command of the Head Judge, or he/she will be penalized with lower placement for not following instructions.

The poses are:

• Front Double Biceps
  Contestant should stand on two feet and have upper arms out to the sides parallel to the floor, with elbows bent at approximately 90-degrees with forearms parallel to torso. Legs, lats, chest, abdominals, and arms should be flexed.

• Side Chest Pose
  Contestant should stand on foot farthest from the stage with front leg bent to show the calf and leg biceps. The front arm should be bent at approximately 90-degrees with the rear hand gripping at the wrist. The chest should be lifted and the abdominals pulled in tightly. The competitor may pick a side of choice to display to the judges unless told otherwise.

• Side Triceps Pose
  Contestant should stand in leg position similar to side chest pose, with the frontal arm hanging alongside the body, grasped at the waist by the rear hand from around the lower back. The triceps should be tightened, shoulders, chest and abdominals flexed, and the legs and calves tight. The side of choice may be displayed unless instructed otherwise.

• Rear Double Biceps
  This pose is exactly as the frontal version except that the contestant must bring the leg of choice toward the judges and "spike" the foot to show calf and leg biceps development. Contestants should not lean excessively toward the rear of the stage, nor lean backwards too far toward the judges.

• Rear Lat Spread
  Contestant should face stage rear with calf of choice "spiked" toward the judges, and grasp the waist with closed hands and spread elbows to flare latissimus. Hamstrings and glutes should be flexed, with emphasis on showing judges the width of the back (V-shape) as well as detail in the lats, teres major, rhomboids and trapezius, erectors and rear deltoids.

• Overhead Abdominal Pose
  The contestant must stand facing the judges with one leg extended slightly forward, and with hands clasped behind the neck. The abdominals must be fully flexed, with air expelled, with the legs and chest also tight. One-arm variations of the abdominal pose are PROHIBITED unless instructed by the Head Judge.

• Most Muscular Pose
  This pose will be required only for the men. The contestant must stand with one leg slightly extended toward the judges, and assume a favorite of the following most muscular poses. Either the "crab", hands-on-hips or partial crab (with one hand behind back) variations may be used. Side most muscular poses are not permitted unless instructed by the Head Judge.

• Optional Poses
  The judging panel may request additional poses depending on necessity. These may include Side Hamstring Curl, Stand-On-Calves Pose, Serratus Side Pose, etc.

Finals (Evening Show)

• Presentation of the line-ups (should be omitted for classes of five or less);

• Posing routine to music (ninety second limit) - may be judged in amateur competitions;

• Announcement of the top five per class;

• Posedown (class);

• Presentation of class awards;

• Symmetry and muscularity comparisons for class winners (judged);

• Posedown (overall); and

• Presentation of overall awards.