Meet The Judges
Guidelines
PURPOSE:
  1. To improve the knowledge of the judge in the application of the rules and officiating of the sport through a fair and consistent experience for all practice judging.
  2. To prepare the judge to become a higher rated official without disrupting the efficiency of the meet.
Once a judge has an active rating, he/she must meet the requirements of the certification program and the state requirements for practice judging by following the procedures listed. This is a requirement ONLY if the judge is planning to test at a higher level or is a beginning judge.
  1. Notify the State NAWGJ Director or assigning director of availability to practice at selected meets before the day of the meet he/she is requesting to practice judge. Showing up the day of the meet and requesting to practice judge, can, and in most cases, will receive a denial. DO NOT CONTACT THE MEET DIRECTOR DIRECTLY!
  2. The assigning official will check with the Meet Director as to the feasibility of practice judges at that meet and will inform the practice judge of the decision. Ideally this should be done early in the gymnastic season.
  3. The Meet Director has NO responsibility to the "practice judge" . The practice judge assumes responsibility for his/her own travel, lodging and food, and is not paid for his/her expenses.
  4. "Practice Judge" must wear the official uniform if he/she possesses one, or an appropriate dress code set by the state.
  5. The "Practice Judge" must come to the meet with all necessary supplies (paper, clipboard, pencil/pen), be on time, and receive directions from the Meet Referee and/or Chief Judge. The Meet Referee and/or Chief Judge will confer with the "practice judge" prior to the start of the meet so that placement on the floor may be assigned.
  6. The "practice judge" may judge one or more sessions on a given day of the competition. A SESSION HAS BEEN DEFINED AS A MINIMUM OF 8 GYMNAST PER SQUAD. The practice judge must judge a minimum of 8 athletes on vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise for a minimum of 32 exercises. A judge must rotate to a different event each new rotation.
  7. One "practice judge" is preferred in dual and tri-meets; however, two may be assigned due to geographical location at the discretion of the assigning officer. Only one "practice judge" per event will be allowed at the larger meets.
  8. Level 9 judges must practice judge with Level 10 or higher rated officials at a level 10 or higher meet.
    Level 8 judges must practice with Level 9 or higher rated official at a Level 9 meet
  9. Practice judging at a meet where you are a coach of a participating team is NOT permissible if your team constitutes 33% of the gymnast in a given squad. If a location problem occurs, contact your State Judging Director for another assignment.
  10. COLLEGIATE COMPETITIONS ARE NOT PERMISSABLE FOR PRACTICE JUDGING SINCE THE COLLEGES UTILIZE THEIR OWN SET OF RULES. (Effective March 16, 1998)
    Exception: In those areas of the country where there are limited numbers of Level 10 athletes, the SJD may petition JCI to have an organized practice judging session where Level 9 or Level 10 rules are utilized.
  11. Specifically, the "Practice Judge" shall:
    1. Sit with the Chief Judge on an assigned event at an assigned seat or place on the floor.
    2. Judge every routine and record the score.
    3. Make notations and direct any questions to the Chief Judge after the completion of the rotation/session.
    4. Enter conferences, but refrain from any comments. Also, refrain from relaying any conference information to anyone.
    5. Act in a professional and ethical manner throughout the meet.
Two (2) practice judging sessions are required prior to the new judge being assigned meets or prior to the judge testing at Level 9 or 10. PRACTICE JUDGING MUST BE FULFILLED EACH YEAR UNTIL RATING IS EARNED.

These requirements, in some areas, have received an adjustment due to the unavailability of high rated judge. If in doubt, contact your active status coordinator.

NOTE: It is recommended that the Level 10 judge assume leadership responsibilities in their region by assisting with educational clinics/workshops; and further, to set high ethical standards for all other judges.
Active Status | TOC | Testing