How to design a free program

I want to describe how to design an Intermediate Free-program. But this article is not only valid for Intermediate since you will learn a lot about the Aresti catalog.

The first thing to remember is what the criteria are to design a free-program. Just refer to the rules section to remember:

Maximum k (without positioning): 150
Maximum 10 figures
Every catalog number can only be used once! (The roll 9.1.3.4 can only be used once.)

The minimum of 1 figure from:
- Family 1: Lines and angles
- Family 2.3 to 2.10: Rolling turns
- Family 5: Stall turns (Hammerheads)
- Family 7: Loops and eights
- Family 8: Combinations of lines, angles and loops
- Family 9.9: positive snap/flick rolls

And exactly one figure from family 9.11: positive spins.

Ok. So the next step is to  download the aresti-catalog and print it. Or open it on screen - but this is a bit more difficult to read.

In the catalogue there are three parts, but we really only want to focus on the part III, the list of figures. There are nine families described:

1: Lines and angles
2: Turns and rolling turns
3: Combinations of lines
4: not in use
5: Stall turns (Hammerheads)
6: Tailslides
7: Loops and eights
8: Combinations of lines, angles and loops
9: Rolls and spins

In fact all figure families from 1 to 8 are base-figures. These figures can have optional roll elements, coming from the family 9.

One important thing is the catalogue number of a figure. But how can you identify the number? Let us see. On page 37 you can see the positive loop. There is a 10 with a circle around next to the figure. This is the K-factor of the figure. The K-factor describes the dificulty of the figure. So now we identify the number of the figure. First, it is in family 7, Loops and eights. So the first number is the 7. Now we need the row-number. It is on the left side of the row, where the loop is located. We can read a 5 here. So the number would be 7.5. The last number is the column of the figure. Just on the bottom on the page the number is indicated. In our case it is the 1. So the complete catalog number of the positive loop is: 7.5.1

For the rolling elements it is one step more. On top we have two instead of one family number. So a 360° horizontal four time slow roll would be: 9.4.3.4 (and the K-factor 11)

Now we are ready to create the sequence.

At first I make sure that I include the necessary figures:

A minimum of 1 figure from:
- Family 1: Lines and angles
- Family 2.3 to 2.10: Rolling turns
- Family 5: Stall turns (Hammerheads)
- Family 7: Loops and eights
- Family 8: Combinations of lines, angles and loops
- Family 9.9: positive snap/flick rolls

And exactly one figure from family 9.11: positive spins.

My first choice is:

We have used 5 base-figures and two roll elements. Some elements like 7.2.1 need a half-roll so that they can work. But besides that I am quiet free to choose some additional base-figures.

The actual creation of the final sequence needs some evolution. Basically you add five additional base-figures so you get 10 figures at the end to fit the criteria. Then you add all the k-factors and see that you end up at 150 maximum points.

Then you will start to draw a first complete sequence. Now you switch base-figures, add, remove and change rolls and spins until you end up with your perfect free-program.

Always have a look on your power management. If it is wrong you loose to much height during the sequence.