Format
The Youth Bouldering Series is composed of three qualifying events and one final. Qualifying events will be red-point format, allowing competitors to try multiple boulder problems during the allotted time. Competitors will be scored on their top five completed problems (see scoring). The cumulative top 25 competitors in each category and any competitor who placed in the top 10 of any qualifying event will be invited to the Youth Bouldering Series Final on April 28th.

The Youth Bouldering Series Final will be a double elimination, timed onsight competition. Competitors will face five boulder problems. They will be given 4-minutes on each problem followed by a 4-minute rest before moving on to the next problem. The top ten in each category will compete in the final where they will face four problems with a 4-minute rest between each problem.  


Age Categories are determined by the age of the competitor on March 1,   2012. Anyone born on or before March 1, 1992 is not eligible to compete in the Youth Bouldering Series. Age categories are as follows:

11 and Under Male
12 - 14 Male
15 - 18 Male

11 and under Female
12 - 14 Female
15 - 18 Female
 

Scoring
Qualifying events
Points are determined by the cumulative point value from the top five boulder problems completed during the qualifying round.  A “completed” problem is signified by a competitor showing two handed control of the finishing hold, or alternatively, topping out the problem on boulders that require a top out. In the case of a tie, judges will break the tie based on flash bonuses. On the chance that competitors are still tied, the 6th completed problem will be used to break the tie. 


Final Event 
The final event will be an onsight format, single day event. The first round of finals will consist of 4 boulder problems. The climbers will have 4 minutes to try each boulder problem followed by a 4 minute rest before attempting the next boulder problem. This will be repeated until the climber has attempted all 4 problems. At the end of this first round, scores will be tallied and the top 6 competitors from each age category will compete in the final round. 

•  The final round will also be an onsight event consisting of 3 problems, with                    a 4 minute rest between each problem.   

•  Points are determined by the highest hold held with control. 

• “Control” is defined as the competitor has a clear grasp of the hold and                          maintains their position on that hold. No bonuses will be given for upward movement.  

•  Falls will only count in the event of a tie.

•  In event of a tie after reviewing falls, the tie will be broken by reviewing                      the semi-final round. 

•  Additional points will be awarded for climbing a boulder problem on the first                    attempt or “flash.”



Qualifying for the Final
There are two ways to qualify for the Youth Bouldering Final. The first is to place in the top 10 of a given category at any of the three qualifying Youth Bouldering Series events. 

The second is to accumulate enough points to be ranked in the top 25% of a given age/sex category from the cumulative scores from the three qualifying events. The cumulative point rankings and individual event scoring will be displayed on www.youthbouldering.com 


Protests
Protests can only be filed by competitors. Protests must be filed within five minute of the incident. Protests should be filed with the rule judge. A panel of judges will determine the validity of any protest by speaking with witnesses and the competitor. If a protest is determined to be valid, the appropriate measures will be taken to determine a fair resolution. 



Rules
•  All competitors must have fun. Crying is not permitted at a Youth Bouldering                  Series event 

•  Any child or parent found forging or altering a scorecard will be eliminated                      from competition

•  “Football dad/mom” syndrome will not be tolerated at any Youth Bouldering                    Event

•  The use of drugs or alcohol is not permitted at any Youth Bouldering Series                    event

•  Scorecards may not be altered or marked in the scoring area by anyone                        other than a qualified Youth Bouldering Series judge. Judges will be available                  at each station of each event.

•        Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. Any parent, coach, or                          competitor displaying what is deemed unsportsmanlike behavior will forfeit                      their right to compete in Youth Bouldering Series events. 

•  All protests must be filed within 5 minutes of the protested incident.