Judging My First Competition

[katz in boots]

Okay, so not a Parent or Coach item, but maybe Judging could fit here too?

Today our Skate School had its competition, and for the first time I got to sit in with the regular judge, along with another trainee. It was a really educational experience! Not at all like tests, where if you're not sure they did it right you can ask to see it again :lol:
It's so gorgeous seeing all the little girls in their pretty dresses, tiaras and glitter, they are so cute! And the blase teenagers who've graduated from skate school and see themselves as above it all.

Gosh it takes a lot of concentration! I had to be really careful not to miss anything, and I was exhausted afterwards. Mostly my placings were the same as the experienced judge, but on some of the levels, which were very closely contested, we varied. So it was a really useful experience, without the pressure of my points counting towards the results.

Judging certainly does change how you watch other skaters!

[herniated]

That is so awesome about your first judging experience! I judged a basic skills event once and was MORE nervous judging than testing! It gave me much more respect for judges. Not that I didn't respect them but just gave me more of an insight into how hard the job really is.

[liz_on_ice]

how very cool, good for you! Are there any rules about being a test or competition judge if you also currently test and compete?

[icedancer2]

how very cool, good for you! Are there any rules about being a test or competition judge if you also currently test and compete?

I don't think there are any rules about that - in fact I think they like it if you are a current skater because you are pretty much up on the rules, what is hard and all of that stuff...

[phoenix]

In the U.S. you can be a skater yourself, but you cannot be a coach.

[icedancer2]

In the U.S. you can be a skater yourself, but you cannot be a coach.

It's true that you can't judge and coach EXCEPT that as of September 1 judges can teach group classes as long as no one is testing US Figure Skating tests.

[katz in boots]

how very cool, good for you! Are there any rules about being a test or competition judge if you also currently test and compete?

Apparently not, in Australia. We can skate & judge, skate & coach, but not coach & judge.

I've been judging skate school tests for a while, building up the levels I'm qualified to test, but this was my first competition trial judging. Have to finish the test judging qualification before I can judge comps properly.

[Mrs Redboots]

It's the same in the UK - you can teach OR judge, but not both.

I have to admit, sooner you than me - of the two, I'd prefer teaching!

[Skittl1321]

In ISI current coaches do judge- and are often required to judge their own students against other skaters, though I think organizers try to avoid it.

I like their judging panels because each judge is only looking for a few specific elements. It makes it easier to feel like you haven't missed something!

[katz in boots]

I have to admit, sooner you than me - of the two, I'd prefer teaching!

That was my first preference (it's a long story), but judging is good too, in a different way.

[dbny]

In the US, for Basic Skills competitions, anyone can judge. Most hosting schools try to avoid coaches judging their own students, but it does occasionally happen. Two schools that I judged for paid me, which was a big and welcome surprise. The one I work for now did not pay me, and required staff coaches to volunteer for all the jobs at their competitions. I hope it won't work that way with our current director.

[katz in boots]

Two schools that I judged for paid me, which was a big and welcome surprise. .. The one I work for now did not pay me ...

Gosh! we don't get paid for judging at all! I am pretty sure our State & National level judges just get expenses paid for going to a competition; ie airfares, accommodation & meals.

[dbny]

Gosh! we don't get paid for judging at all! I am pretty sure our State & National level judges just get expenses paid for going to a competition; ie airfares, accommodation & meals.

Our official USFS judges do not get paid. These were just local Basic Skills only competitions, which do not require official judges.

[Skittl1321]

Does the LOC not pay their travel and lodging expenses though?
I thought they got that covered, they just were not paid for time.

[Mel On Ice]

if the basic skills competition is sanctioned by USFSA, at least one person the panel should be an official.

As for being paid, clubs reimburse officials for travel expenses and have the option to give a token gift valuing $25.

[dbny]

These were not competitions run by clubs, but were run by skating schools. They do require a sanction, but AFAIK, no officials were required, unless a registered Basic Skills Skating Director counts.