Rules and Scoring

Attempts & Rotation

Climbers may make unlimited total attempts on any routes during their assigned heat.

To ensure fair access and safe flow on the wall, a climber may make a maximum of two consecutive attempts on a route before rotating to the end of that route’s queue or moving to another route.

An attempt begins the moment a climber’s body leaves the ground. Each time a climber pulls off the ground to climb a route, one attempt is counted.

An attempt ends when the climber falls, weights the rope, voluntarily comes off the wall, obtains a Zone or a Top, or is lowered.

Following Routes

Each route is marked with a specific tape color, and that tape defines the route.

You may use any hold marked with that tape color. You do not need to use every marked hold on a route, but you must control marked ZONE and TOP holds to earn their points.

Using any hold marked with a different tape color, any panel edge or seam, or any bolt or hanger protruding from the wall is considered off route. If a climber goes off route, the judge will stop the attempt and the climber will lower and re-try the route. If a ZONE was obtained prior to going off route, those ZONE points still count for that attempt.

Points

TOPS

A TOP is awarded when the climber demonstrates controlled use of the designated finish hold with both hands, as confirmed by the judge.

Rope weighting or falling before control is established does not count as a TOP.

A TOP awards the full point value listed for that route.

ZONES

Some routes include a clearly marked ZONE hold.

Controlled use of the ZONE awards a fixed number of points for that route, as listed on the scorecard.

ZONE point values:

• Are not percentages

• Are not consistent across routes

• Are intentionally set so that completing harder ZONES is always worth more than topping significantly easier routes
  
  

ZONE points are awarded only once per route.

A climber may earn either the ZONE or the TOP for a route, whichever results in the higher score.

Scoring Overview

A competitor’s final score is calculated using only their top three (3) highest-scoring routes.

Scores may come from either a TOP or a ZONE, but not both on the same route. Any additional routes completed beyond the top three do not count toward the final score.

Each route has a defined point value listed on the scorecard.

Tie Breakers

If a tie occurs, it will be broken using the following criteria, in order:

1. Fewest total attempts on the top three counted routes

2. Additional criteria at the discretion of the Head Judge, based on overall performance and scoring consistency

Safety & Judging

Judges’ calls are final.

Judges will announce and record when ZONES are obtained during the climb and will confirm TOPS with the competitor before the climber lets go to lower.

Belayers will maintain a safe, loose belay to ensure competitors are climbing independently without receiving assistance from the rope.

Unsafe behavior, including failure to follow judge or belayer instructions, may result in score invalidation or removal from the event.