DIVISIONS + RULES

EXPRESSION SESSION

This isn’t a head-to-head kendama freestyle battle. Rather, players have 90 seconds to perform their “Expression Session” and will be subjectively scored based on the judging criteria.

This is a one-round final with one person competing on stage at a time to music of their choice (due by Nov. 5 for Illinois and Dec. 3 for Florida). 

    • This division is standalone and open to all Speed Ladder Beginner and Advanced players. Non-Ladder players are also allowed to register.

    • Each player will submit a 90 second song for their performance.

    • The podium will be ranked by overall subjective scoring based on the outlined judging criteria.

    • Flow of Tricks - Our judges aren’t just looking for the hardest tricks, it’s also about how you flow between elements and blend it all together!! 

    • Landed Spikes vs. Missed Spikes - This won’t decide the winner of the event outright, but will be recorded to help evaluate routines when it comes to final placement. 

    • Difficulty - The same way spikes landed vs. missed won’t decide the winner by itself, you’ll want to balance difficulty in with your tricks to impress, we aren’t just looking for who can spike the most in 90 seconds!! 

    • Stage Use - Utilize the stage’s full potential by moving around and not staying stationary!

    • Variety of Tricks - Everyone has their favorite type of trick, but we want to see variety! The judges will be looking for a range of tricks in your Expression Session from all corners of Kendama!!

    • Style & Charisma - We don’t want every competitor doing the same thing up there, show the crowd and our judges what makes you and your tricks unique from other competitors!

  • The top 3 competitors will receive awards and prizes, and the highest ranked Illinois/Florida resident will be named the Illinois/Florida State Kendama Champion for the division.

SPEED TRICK LADDER – BEGINNER

The Speed Trick Ladder division is a one-round final with one person competing on stage at a time – in other words, this is NOT a head-to-head contest. 

    • When the player attempts the first trick, the time starts.

    • You have three attempts at each trick and then must move on to the next trick.

    • If you miss all three attempts, there will be a 3 second time penalty, per trick missed, added to your overall time.

    • The fastest time with the least number of misses wins.

  • The Speed Ladder – Beginner Division has a set list of 12 tricks to complete. The tricks should be completed in the following order:

    1. Base Cup, Big Cup, Small Cup (any sequence)

    2. Moshikame x 5 

    3. Around Japan

    4. Candle Stick

    5. Any Spike 

    6. Frying Pan, Spike

    7. Easy Lighthouse, in

    8. Easy Spike Earth Turn

    9. Airplane

    10. Easy Jumping Stick

    11. Spike, Flying Top Spike

    12. Easy Bird Balance Count to 2, Spike

  • The top 3 competitors will receive awards and prizes.

SPEED TRICK LADDER – ADVANCED

The Speed Trick Ladder division is a one-round final with one person competing on stage at a time – in other words, this is NOT a head-to-head contest. 

    • When the player attempts the first trick, the time starts.

    • You have three attempts at each trick and then must move on to the next trick.

    • If you miss all three attempts, there will be a 3 second time penalty, per trick missed, added to your overall time.

    • The fastest time with the least number of misses wins. 

    • Players competing in Speed Ladder - Advanced cannot play in Speed Ladder – Beginner.

  • The Speed Ladder – Advanced Division has a set list of 12 tricks to complete. The tricks should be completed in the following order:

    1. Around USA

    2. Double Whirlwind, Spike

    3. Bird, Over the Valley, Spike

    4. Big Cup, Juggle, Big Cup, Spike

    5. One Turn Lighthouse, Trade Spike

    6. Stilt, In

    7. Airplane, Double Jumping Stick

    8. Gunslinger, Spike

    9. Lunar, Half Rover, In

    10. Ken Flip, Spike

    11. Inward Lunar, Lighthouse, Small Cup Lunar, In

    12. Spacewalk, In

  • The top 3 competitors will receive awards and prizes.

Lock in your spot to compete

Don’t miss out on your chance to compete at the Illinois State and Florida State Kendama Contests! All interested competitors must register online, prior to the event.

REGISTER NOW