VERTEX SERIES DISCIPLINE
FLOW
Continuous movement. Connected lines. Control from start to finish.
UNDERSTAND THE DISCIPLINE
CONTINUOUS MOVEMENT. CONNECTED LINES. CONTROL FROM START TO FINISH.
Fluid movement, creativity and control.
OVERVIEW
WHAT FLOW REWARDS
Flow is about connected movement rather than isolated big tricks. Acrobatic skills may be used where they contribute naturally to the line, but the defining quality is continuity through the environment.
- Continuity and connections
- Smooth transitions
- Rhythm and pacing
- Control and technical execution
- Effective use of the course
CORE PRINCIPLE
A strong Flow run should appear natural and continuous, with as few unnecessary stops, resets or broken transitions as possible.
COMPETITION STRUCTURE
COMPETITION FORMAT
Flow has one Qualifying Round and one Final. Each scored performance lasts 30 seconds.
COURSE FAMILIARITY
Before each competition round, athletes receive a 45-second warm-up/familiarity period on the Flow course.
QUALIFYING RUN
Each athlete completes one 30-second run scored out of 40 points.
TOP SIX ADVANCE
The six highest qualifying scores advance to the Final, subject to the published tie procedure.
FINAL RUN
Each finalist completes one new 30-second run. Qualification scores do not carry over.
Qualification1 × 30-second run
Maximum qualifying score40
Final fieldTop 6
Final carry-overNone
HOW PERFORMANCE IS MEASURED
JUDGING CATEGORIES
Flow is judged by four category judges. Each category is scored out of 10, producing a maximum raw score of 40 before applicable deductions.
TOTAL RAW SCORE = CONTINUITY + SMOOTHNESS + CONTROL + USE OF COURSE
Continuity & Connections10
Smoothness & Rhythm10
Control & Execution10
Use of Course10
CONTINUITY & CONNECTIONS
How effectively movements link together without unnecessary breaks, stops or resets.
SMOOTHNESS & RHYTHM
The pacing, tempo and fluidity of the complete run.
CONTROL & EXECUTION
Balance, landing control, accuracy, stability and technical quality while maintaining the line.
USE OF COURSE
How effectively the athlete uses different obstacles, levels, directions and movement opportunities.
SEASON POINTS
SEASON RANKING POINTS
The qualifying score is converted directly into season-ranking points. The Final adds a placement bonus rather than another full performance-based ranking score.
SEASON RANKING POINTS = QUALIFYING SCORE × 25
TOTAL EVENT SCORE = QUALIFYING RANKING POINTS + FINAL PLACEMENT BONUS
- The qualifying run is the performance used for the main ranking conversion.
- The Final is scored independently to determine event placing.
- Finalists receive placement bonus points.
FINAL PLACEMENT BONUS
1st+1002nd+503rd+254th+105th+106th+10
MAXIMUM
A perfect qualifying score of 40 converts to 1,000 ranking points. Winning the Final gives a standard event maximum of 1,100 points.
IMPORTANT COMPETITION RULES
KEY RULES & TIE-BREAKS
30-SECOND PERFORMANCE
Athletes are judged only for movement within the official 30-second competition period. Finishing early or delaying meaningful movement may attract deductions.
QUALIFYING TIE
Category priority: Continuity & Connections, Smoothness & Rhythm, Control & Execution, then Use of Course. If the cutoff remains tied after all four, the tied athletes may all advance.
FINAL TIE
The same category priority is applied first. If still tied, a Flow-Off is used and the judging panel collectively selects the stronger overall Flow performance.
RERUNS
A rerun may be awarded for verified equipment failure, technical malfunction or external interference outside the athlete’s control.
OFFICIAL COMPETITION DOCUMENTS
VIEW RULES & RESOURCESThis page is a public summary designed to explain the discipline clearly. The current Vertex Series Competition Manual and event-specific instructions remain the controlling rules.
QUICK ANSWERS
FLOW FAQ
Is Flow just a trick competition?
No. The central aim is continuous, connected movement. Difficult or acrobatic skills can be included when they contribute naturally to the line.
How long is a Flow run?
30 seconds in both qualification and the Final.
How is Flow scored?
Four categories are scored out of 10: Continuity & Connections, Smoothness & Rhythm, Control & Execution, and Use of Course.
Do qualifying scores carry into the Final?
No. The Final is a new 30-second performance scored independently.
How are exact Final ties resolved?
After the category tie-break order is applied, an unresolved tie is decided by a Flow-Off.
EXPLORE VERTEX SERIES
UNDERSTAND ALL FOUR DISCIPLINES.
Each discipline rewards a different part of parkour performance. Explore the other formats or view the official competition resources.