Scooter Judging Criteria Explained
Difficulty, variety, flow, and style, the four judging criteria
The competitive scootering scoring system is built on 4 categories with different weights: Difficulty (30 pts) for trick complexity and risk, Variety (25 pts) for trick mix and skatepark utilization, Flow (25 pts) for riding stability and continuity, and Style (20 pts) for aesthetics, amplitude, and effortless execution. The ideal run combines consistent high-difficulty tricks with speed, high amplitude, diverse lines, and clean landings.
The 4 Pillars of the Scoring System
Every competitive scootering run is evaluated across four categories with different point weights:
| Criteria | Weight | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | 30.0 pts | 30% |
| Variety | 25.0 pts | 25% |
| Flow | 25.0 pts | 25% |
| Style | 20.0 pts | 20% |
| Total | 100.0 pts | 100% |
Judges evaluate runs holistically while considering each of these categories. A top score requires excellence across all four — being great in just one isn't enough.
Difficulty (30 Points) — The Highest-Weighted Criterion
Difficulty carries the highest weight in the scoring system (30 of 100 pts). Judges evaluate the execution of difficult, complex, and risky tricks that are performed consistently throughout the run and stand out from other competitors.
What Raises the Difficulty Score
- Complex trick combinations (e.g., combos with rotation and flip tricks)
- Risky tricks on large obstacles
- Consistency — maintaining a high difficulty level throughout the entire run
- Tricks that stand out compared to other riders in the same age category
What Lowers the Difficulty Score
- Repeating the same tricks (even difficult ones)
- Performing only simple, safe maneuvers
- No difficulty progression in the run
- Attempted difficult tricks that end in falls (though this also affects flow)
Context Is Key
Difficulty is evaluated in context — the same trick may be scored higher for a younger rider than a pro if it stands out within their group. Judges compare difficulty against the overall competition level.
| Level | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Simple rotations, basic tricks on small obstacles | Low difficulty score (5-12 pts) |
| Intermediate | Tailwhip, barspin, 360, tricks on medium obstacles | Medium score (12-20 pts) |
| Advanced | Flair, kickless, combo tricks, tricks on large obstacles | High score (20-26 pts) |
| Elite | Original combos, never-before-seen tricks, extremely risky maneuvers | Highest score (26-30 pts) |
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Variety (25 Points) — Versatility and Creativity
Variety covers both the mix of tricks and skatepark utilization. This criterion rewards versatile riders and penalizes monotonous runs.
What Raises the Variety Score
- Trick diversity — mix of rotations, flips, grinds, ramp maneuvers, and obstacle tricks
- Full skatepark utilization, riding across different sections, not just one ramp
- Combining obstacles, creative lines linking park or street obstacles together
- Original lines, unconventional approach to the skatepark, surprising combinations
- Versatile skills, showing different aspects of riding, not just one trick type
What Lowers the Variety Score
- Repeating the same type of tricks (e.g., only rotations or only grind tricks)
- Riding only one obstacle or in one section of the skatepark
- Lack of creativity in riding lines
- Showing only one aspect of ability
Variety vs Difficulty
Sometimes riders sacrifice variety for difficulty — repeating one very hard trick multiple times. The scoring system penalizes this: a versatile run of medium difficulty beats a monotonous run with one extremely hard trick.
Flow (25 Points) — Stability and Riding Continuity
Flow is the criterion easiest to lose — every visible error reduces the score. Judges evaluate riding stability and the absence of elements that break the run's continuity.
Negative Elements — What Reduces Flow
| Error | Impact |
|---|---|
| Fall (both feet off the deck) | Largest penalty — significant loss of flow points |
| Landing on one foot only | Major penalty — clear instability |
| Hand support after landing | Medium penalty — visible loss of control |
| Foot slip off the deck | Medium penalty — lack of technical confidence |
| Unstable landing (wobble) | Smaller penalty, but noticeable |
| Unjustified pushing | Smaller penalty — pushes must translate to speed or height |
| Unclean ramp entry / turnaround | Smaller penalty — disrupts run continuity |
Style (20 Points) — Aesthetics and Finesse
Style is the most subjective criterion, but judges evaluate it based on clearly defined elements:
What Contributes to Style
- Clean landings — confident, stable ride-away after each trick with no wobbles
- Height / amplitude, tricks performed high, with visible "airtime"
- Effortless execution, tricks appear light, natural, without visible strain
- Speed and fluidity, maintaining appropriate pace throughout the run
Style Is NOT
- The rider's clothing style
- Belonging to the "street" or "park" scene
- The rider's social media popularity
- Using a specific equipment brand
How Style Affects the Final Score
If two riders perform the same trick, the higher score goes to the rider who executes it:
- Higher (greater amplitude)
- Better (cleaner execution)
- More smoothly (more natural transition)
- With correct position on the scooter after landing
Style is what separates a good rider from a great one — technique can be identical, but style adds that extra something.
How the Criteria Work Together — The Ideal Run
According to PZSW guidelines, the ideal run combines excellence across all four categories:
Consistent execution of difficult or risky tricks throughout the run that stand out from other competitors, maintaining high speed and high amplitude. Tricks should appear light, effortless, and be landed correctly.
Typical Scenarios
Scenario A: High Difficulty, Low Flow Rider attempts extremely hard tricks but falls twice and has unstable landings. → Difficulty: 26/30 | Variety: 18/25 | Flow: 12/25 | Style: 13/20 = 69 pts
Scenario B: Medium Difficulty, Perfect Flow Rider performs medium-difficulty tricks but everything is clean, varied, and with excellent style. → Difficulty: 18/30 | Variety: 22/25 | Flow: 24/25 | Style: 18/20 = 82 pts
Scenario C: Balanced Run Rider combines difficult tricks with clean execution, good variety, and high style. → Difficulty: 24/30 | Variety: 21/25 | Flow: 22/25 | Style: 17/20 = 84 pts
Conclusion: A balanced run almost always beats a one-dimensional one. The scoring system intentionally enforces this through its weight distribution.
Worked Example: Two Runs Compared Side by Side
Let's compare two contrasting Park runs from the same final:
Run A — "The Risk-Taker"
Rider opens with a flair on the big ramp (clean!), attempts a double whip, falls. Gets up, does a kickless on the funbox, then attempts a backflip, falls again. Finishes with a solid tailwhip 360.
| Criteria | Score | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | 27.0/30 | Flair, double whip (attempt), backflip (attempt), kickless — very high level |
| Variety | 17.0/25 | Mostly rotations and flips, poor use of the rest of the park |
| Flow | 11.0/25 | Two falls, dramatically lowers the score |
| Style | 12.0/20 | Successful tricks looked good, but falls destroy the overall impression |
| Total | 67.0 | Ambitious run ruined by falls |
Run B — "The Stylist"
Rider smoothly links a tailwhip off the quarter pipe, transitions to a barspin on the funbox, 360 on the hip, manual to spine, flair on the big ramp (clean!), finishes with a buttercup combo.
| Criteria | Score | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | 22.0/30 | Flair is the highest difficulty, rest is solid medium-high |
| Variety | 23.0/25 | Great use of the park, trick type mix, creative lines |
| Flow | 24.0/25 | Zero falls, minimal pushing, smooth transitions |
| Style | 18.0/20 | Clean landings, good amplitude, effortless execution |
| Total | 87.0 | Balanced, clean run at a high level |
Conclusion: Run B wins by 20 points despite lower difficulty, because cleanliness, variety, and style more than compensate for the difference.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Primary Sources
- ISA Scootering Judging Criteria and Rulebook — ISA Scootering
- World Skate Park & Street Rules — World Skate
- ISA Scootering Officials Pathway — ISA Scootering
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