Welcome to the world of Sport Kite Competition Figures, as defined by the International Sport Kite Rules (ISK). Whether you’re a newcomer curious about competition or a seasoned pilot looking to refine your skills, this section is for you.
On this page, you’ll find a complete list of the official compulsory figures used in international competitions, sorted by discipline and class: individual, pairs or teams, with either dual or multi-line kites. Each figure is linked to a dedicated page featuring its diagram and description by ISK.
Compulsory figures aren’t just for competition—they’re a source of inspiration and a great way to develop your precision, control, and creativity as a pilot. Learning to fly them can boost your technique and unlock new ways to play in the sky.
If you fly quad line kites, take a look at the 2-line figures: most of them can be done with quad lines!
These figures and rules are taken from the official ISK documents, version 3.0 (April 1st, 2017). What you see here is a faithful web adaptation of the original PDFs—designed to make it easier to read, learn, and practice. Thanks to David Morley for giving us access to ISK resources!
📘 Want to read the original ISK documents?
You can download version 3.0 (April 1st, 2017) of the official rulebooks here:
- ISK Rule Book Version 3 (PDF) – mirror link
- ISK Judges Book version V3 (PDF) – mirror link
- ISK Compulsories version V3 (PDF) – mirror link
📂 Explore the figures by discipline
You can choose a discipline and browse the associated figures:
- 16 dual-line Individual Compulsory Figures
- 13 dual-line Pair Compulsory Figures
- 11 dual-line Team Compulsory Figures
- 29 multi-line Individual Compulsory Figures
- 14 multi-line Pair Compulsory Figures
- 11 multi-line Team Compulsory Figures
Or you can browse the compulsory figures below and choose one to read the details.
NB: Further down this page, you’ll also find tips to better understand how these figures are judged: scoring, a glossary of terms, …
Dual-line Individual Compulsory Figures
Dual-line Pair Compulsory Figures
Dual-line Team Compulsory Figures
Multi-line Team Compulsory Figures
Multi-line Pair Compulsory Figures
Multi-line Team Compulsory Figures
💡 Tips to read kite figures
Scoring
Each compulsory is given a single score for the entire figure from the ‘IN’ call to the ‘OUT’ call. The score given reflects how closely the figure flown matches the diagram and satisfies other judging criteria.
Diagram
The compulsory figure diagram defines the size, shape, and location of each compulsory figure within the precision grid.
All text following in this item now applies only to”Explanation” part in each figure.
If necessary, an explanation or clarification of the components will be provided. Additional remarks or comments about the compulsory and a list of additional components that the compulsory is meant to test may also be provided. This section is not meant to describe the compulsory figure in detail.
Shorthand notation used in descriptions
| Notation | Description |
|---|---|
| < | a prefix to a number, denotes a location to the left of the horizontal center of the precision grid. |
| > | a prefix to a number, denotes a location to the right of the horizontal center of the precision grid. |
| <0> | denotes the horizontal center of the precision grid. |
| ^ | a prefix to a number, denotes a location above the bottom of the precision grid. |
Glossary
Wind Window: The wind window is the area within the roughly semi-circular plane described by the greatest height a kite can reach at every angle in front of a stationary flier. The size of the window is limited by the ground, the length of the flying line, the speed of the wind, the skill of the flier, and the flight characteristics of the kite or kites.
Center window: The center of the wind window is directly downwind from the flier (horizontal center) and halfway to the top of the wind window at that location (vertical center).
Precision grid: The backdrop for each figure is a grid that is used as a reference for its correct size, shape, and location. The figures are drawn on a grid 100 units high and 200 units wide – 100 units on either side of the horizontal center of the window. The size of a grid unit varies with the length of the flying line used. With 38-meter (125-foot) lines, a grid unit is about 0.3 meter (1 foot). Each 10-unit square on the grid with 38-meter. (125-foot) lines would have roughly 3-meter (10-foot) sides. Grid lines at 10-unit intervals are shown in the diagrams, but only where they are necessary to locate the figure within the grid.
NB: In sub-optimal conditions, it may not be possible to fly to all sections of the precision grid unless the flier moves back during the figure. Said another way, some of the precision grid may be outside the wind window.
Position within the precision grid: Position within the precision grid is the location of the entire compulsory in the precision grid. All figures are intended to be flown and placed as shown in the diagrams.
Relative placement of components: Relative placement is the alignment of components within a figure. For any figure, all proportions, angles, traverses, turning points, etc. should be executed and placed in relation to each other so that the flight path from “IN “ to “OUT “ traces the flight path as shown by the diagram.
Turns: All turns are crisp changes of the flight direction. An adjective may be used with the word “turn” to emphasize some aspect of the turn. If a change of direction is not intended to be a turn, it will be described as an arc or curve.
Lines: All lines are straight unless otherwise noted. The term”straight line”, while redundant, may be used for emphasis.
Horizontal line: A horizontal line is flown parallel to the horizon.
Vertical line: A vertical line is flown perpendicular to the horizon.
Parallel lines: Parallel lines are an equal distance apart everywhere.
The qualifiers (horizontal, parallel, etc.) are used in the explanation sections to limit the focus to a particular line or lines.
Launching: A launch is the transition of a kite from a stationary position on the ground into flight. The control of the kite during the launch and the stability of the flight after the launch are the most important aspects of a launch.
Landing: A landing brings the kite to a controlled stop on the ground. A nose-first crash into the ground is not a landing. Unless otherwise indicated, no variety of landing is preferred over another.
Leading-edge landing: A leading-edge landing brings the kite to a controlled stop on the ground with all of one of the leading edges meeting the ground along its full length.
Two-point landing: For delta-shaped kites, a two-point landing brings the kite to a controlled stop on the ground resting on both wingtips at the same time. For kites with a single leading edge, a two-point landing brings the kite to a stop on the trailing edge. Examples:
- Snap Two-Point Landing: This is a combination of a snap stall and landing that happens as one movement.
- Stall Two-Point Landing: The kite is stalled close to the ground and then put down onto the ground directly.
- Spin Two-Point Landing: The kite is spun in a tight circle or part of a circle close to the ground and then put down onto the ground directly.
Belly Landing: A belly landing brings the kite to a controlled stop on its front (bridle side) with the nose pointing away from the pilot.
Arc: The change of the direction of flight that follows some part of the circumference of a circle. An arc is distinguished from a curve, which does not have a constant radius.
Ground pass: A ground pass is horizontal flight close to the ground. For the purposes of the explanations herein, the maximum height of the lower wingtip off the ground is defined as half the distance between wingtips. Flying closer to the ground is not rewarded or penalised. When the ground is not horizontal, the height of a ground pass is measured from the highest point traversed.
Nose: The nose is the forward most part of the kite in forward flight. For delta-shaped kites, it is the junction of the leading edges. For kites with a single leading edge, it is that leading edge. The coordinate positions shown in the diagrams are given for the nose of the kite unless otherwise indicated.
Stall (stop): The kite comes to an obvious momentary stop.
Push stall: A push stall stops the movement of the kite without changing the kite’s orientation.
Snap stall: A snap stall stops the movement of the kite and brings the kite into a nose-up orientation in one motion.
Axel: An axel is a 360° flat spin rotation of the kite with the front parallel to the ground. starts and ends with the nose pointing toward the flier
Speed control: For individual figures, speed control means maintaining a constant speed throughout the figure. For pair and team figures, speed control also refers to the relative change of velocity among the kites needed to open or close distances between them as demanded by some figures. Speed control is a consideration in all compulsory figures.
Spacing: For pair and team figures, spacing refers to the uniform distance maintained between kites. A change to the distance between kites may be necessary during a figure, but it is the uniformity of spacing that is important. Spacing is a consideration in all pair and team compulsory figures.
Circle: A circle is a continuous arc, ending at the same point as it began.
Synchronicity: For pair and team figures, synchronicity means that, where so drawn, all kites should execute manoeuvres at precisely the same time or should reach any given point within the figure at precisely the same time, executing manoeuvres together throughout so as to give the impression of one pilot controlling all the kites.
Diagonal flight: The kite flies in a straight diagonal line with the kite in a constant orientation.
Inverted flight: The kite flies in any direction with the nose pointed down.
Backward flight: The kite flies in the opposite direction from the direction the nose is pointing. Backward flight is also inverted flight if the nose is pointing down.
Forward flight: The kite flies in the direction the nose is pointing.
Rotation (spin): The kite rotates with a designated part of the kite as the center of rotation. The most common points of rotation are the center of the kite or one of its wingtips. Unless otherwise specified, rotations are stationary. That is, the point of rotation does not move.
Slide: The kite moves horizontally across the window with the nose pointing up (horizontal slide) or vertically in the window with the nose pointing to the left or right (vertical slide).
The inverted slide: The kite moves horizontally across the window with the nose pointing down.
📖 Conclusion
These figures are more than just a competitive framework—they’re a playground for skill, discipline, and creativity. Practicing them is a powerful way to grow as a flier and to connect with a global community that shares the same passion.
Whether you’re training for your next competition or just exploring new challenges, have fun, fly with intent, and enjoy the journey. 🪁
🌍 Go Further
Curious to dive deeper into the world of sport kite competition? Check out these official organizations and international resources:
- 🌐 ISK – International Sport Kite Committee — The global reference for competition rules, scoring, and updates.
- 🇺🇸 AKA – American Kitefliers Association — USA’s main kite organization, with events, resources, and a vibrant community.
- 🇫🇷 FFVL – Fédération Française de Vol Libre — French national organization, including competitive and recreational kite flying.
- 🇬🇧 STACK UK — The UK branch of the Sport Team and Competitive Kiting network.
- 🇮🇹 STACK Italia — The Italian branch of the Sport Team and Competitive Kiting network.
- 🇯🇵 AJSKA – All Japan Sport Kite Association — The Japanese sport kite authority, active in competition.
🎓 Want to start flying or improve your skills?
Explore our tutorials and learning paths designed for all levels—from your very first flight to advanced precision and team techniques. Whether you’re flying for fun or training for competition, we’ve got you covered.
🎥 Looking for real-world examples of multi-line figures?
Check out this video playlist by Guido Maiocchi on YouTube — a great visual reference to see how compulsory figures come to life in the sky.
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