N.G.A. Mid-Atlantic Figure Events
Effective January 1, 2013

All Mid-Atlantic Figure contestants must possess a current N.G.A. card, which is good for one year and should be purchased through the Mid-Atlantic N.G.A. at the competition registration. If N.G.A. card is purchased through the N.G.A. website or at an event outside of the Mid-Atlantic region, the contestant must make sure that they obtain and present written proof that they have a current N.G.A. card (failure to have this will necessitate purchasing a card prior to competing at the event). All contestants must take and pass the event polygraph drug test, or present the NGA Polygraph Form from an NGA event that occurred within 90 days of the current event. Figure competitors will now pose to house music that will be chosen solely at the discretion of the promoter to be played during the Night Show presentation (see below)

Figure Standards

The judging standards for the Figure Competition will be based upon the following: 

* A general athleticism to the body (a feminine muscularity)

* The contestant should show good balance proportion and symmetry to her physique. 

* From the front, shoulders should be well defined and flow nicely into the triceps and biceps. There should be a taper from the lats into the oblique noticeably flowing into the sweep of the upper thigh. In general, the physique should show separation and conditioning, but not be overly lean or striated.

* From the side, the body should show a nice taper from the lat, then tie into the oblique showing an “oblique sweep”. The legs should be muscular with a minimum of separation of the quads. The calves should be well developed, and semi-flexed from the use of heels.

* From the back, the shoulders should be well rounded with the lats displaying a nice taper to the lumbar area. The back should be well defined without being overly bulky. The glutes and hamstrings should be firm, and should show a well developed outer sweep to the thigh. Calves should be firm and nicely developed.

* Presentation and color tone will be considered.

* Transitions from each quarter turn should be fluid without hesitation and demonstrate practiced poise. 

Figure Poses

The posing rules for the Figure Competition will be as follows: 

* Front Pose: Arms to the side of the body with legs together and head forward with no twisting/turning at the neck. 

* Side Pose: Pose of competitor's choice is allowed here as more freedom is allowed. You can twist your upper body with both legs straight in this side pose. You can also twist your upper body with front and/or back leg bended and the same with the arm on the hip or straight down or both arms on the hip or one arm on the hip. So there are many options. It is up to the competitor. The most important piece is practicing and deciding which pose makes the best look for the competitor. 

* Back Pose: This is the same as front: Arms to the side of the body with legs together. It is very important to understand that with the front and back pose the legs must be together- one is not allowed forward from the other! 

In the case that two or three competitors look very close, a side pose will be reviewed. For this again, legs must be together, arms to the side with head forward. 

Competition Rounds and Rules

The contestants will be partitioned into classes based upon height. The number of classes will be declared on the event application.

If there are two classes they will be as follows:

Short Class: 5’5” and under (or appropriate cutoff to form 2 approximately even classes)
Tall Class: over 5’5” (to form 2 approximately even classes) 

If there are three classes they will be as follows (based on forming 3 roughly even classes):

Class A: 5'2" and under
Class B: 5'3" thru 5'5"
Class C: over 5'5"

OR 

If contest application indicates "will be split into 2 or 3 classes", then the height classes may be split, as directed by the event promoter, into 2 (or 3) approximately roughly even classes.

Attire: Competitors are required to wear two piece suits and heels in All event rounds. No thongs will be permitted. No oil may be used. Sheen is permissible. Jewelry may be worn.

Prejudging - Two Piece Suit

Contestants will walk out to center stage, one at a time, and will perform individual quarter turns, and then proceed to the rear of the stage per directions from the Expeditor. Once all of the competitors in that class have performed their individual quarter turns then they will be assembled in a line and perform group quarter turns at the direction of the Head Judge. 

Note: The One Piece Suit round has been eliminated for shows after 1/1/09

Night Show - Two Piece Suit

At the night show, contestants will be individually introduced by the MC to perform their evening presentation to house music selected by the promoter (no exceptions - this will protect the audience from being subjected to 8 versions of "This Girl Is On Fire", etc.). Evening presentation format will be one of the following, depending on the size of the event, at the promoter's discretion. The evening presentation form (which may include a prior introduction of the entire division) will be announced at the pre-show morning competitors meeting. Therefore, please be prepared for both! All competitors will be introduced by the MC, and then will perform the required presentation that was designated at the competitors meeting (listed below): 

1) Format 1: "T-Walk" - Competitors will walk to the center of the stage and then walk to the right of the stage for their presentation and then walk back across to the left side of the stage for the presentation. Following this, they will finish their walk, back at center stage. They will then exit the stage. 
2) Format 2: "Straight line walk" (as in the Ms. Universe pageant swimsuit presentation - you can probably see this on youtube.com) - Competitors will walk to the center rear of the stage, and then walk directly to the front of the center of the stage. They will then turn to the rear and walk back to the "X" mark on the stage where they will turn to face the audience and then proceed to perform their artistic quarter turns as described above in the "Figure Poses" section. Following this they will then exit the stage. 

In the awards round the top five will be selected, and introduced to the audience by the MC. Following this, placings will be announced and trophies will be presented.

At the end of the awards round, class winners (including the Master's Figure winner, but not the Novice Figure winner) will be brought out for comparisons by the judging panel to select overall winner.

Additional Notes to contestants:

* Try to avoid pastel colored suits. They have a tendency to wash you out under the lights.

* Wear little to no platforms on high heels. Thick platforms tend to detract from calve display. 

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