The CrossFit® Judges play an important role in every stage of the competition for each workout. The judges are there to help maintain the standard of competition across the athletes field.
This is rule No. 1 and the guiding principle for judges to facilitate fair competition.
But who are these judges, and how and why are they qualified to make split-second decisions that create the fairest playing field possible?
Index
JUDGING THE INDIVIDUAL DIVISION
During the CrossFit® Games, the athletes competing in the individual division are judged by the CrossFit® Seminar Staff L1.
This group of judges holds the highest possible credentials.
At the very least, everyone has one CF-L2 credential and most CF-L3 credentials and has been teaching the CrossFit® methodology at level 1 and level 2 certification courses for years.
They are the best in the business when it comes to having a keen eye for movement as well they are not afraid to give “No Rep”.
There is a certain level of trust that comes with being on the Seminar Staff and that trust is well earned.
JUDGING THE TEAMS, AGE-GROUPS & ADAPTIVE DIVISIONS
Judges for Teams, Age-Groups & Adaptive divisions, are considered "voluntary" judges, but be careful not to make assumptions about the qualifications of this group.
Our Volunteer judges are well vetted before they have a chance to take the field at the CrossFit® Games. CrossFit® rejects hundreds of potential candidates each year because they don't yet have the credentials we need.
At a minimum, you must be a holder of a CF-L1 certified and having done the most recent Judge Course. Our volunteers must also have previous judging experience in other live competitions.
The application specifically states:
"Previous judging experience at Regionals, Sanctionals, Semifinals or other live events is required."
If anyone is able to check all of these boxes, then let's look more specifically. If potential volunteers also have experience in judging as an online video qualifier rewiewer, they will be ranked higher than someone who doesn't.
If they judge at the local affiliate during the Open, they are ranked higher than someone who hasn't. These judges are putting a lot of time and effort into their craft and take it very seriously.
Once our volunteer judges arrive, they are immediately taken under the wings of ours Head judges.
These HJs are part of the CrossFit® HQ staff.
The voluntary judges therefore spend days before the competition learning workouts and movement standards. They are tested and questioned about where to stay, what to focus on and how to communicate.
THE EXPERIENCE OF JUDGING LIVE COMPETITION
Once on the pitch, the judges are never left to fend for themselves.
For each heat of each division, the HJs are in the field with them, guaranteeing a more comprehensive view of the progress of the competition.
You will often see an HJ approach one of the judges on the pitch for a brief exchange. When this occurs, it is very likely that the HJ was able to see something from a different perspective or angle.
They communicate this to the judge on the court and changes are made immediately.
Despite the requirements and training, in live competition, calls can be missed.
This is part of all sports at all levels.
Judges are human and that human element denies the possibility of perfection. The HJs are responsible for identifying and assisting judges on the ground in need of improvement.
Sometimes he will make sure that a judge does not have what it takes to do the job.
If this is the case, that judge is identified and thanked for their efforts, removed from the list, and not asked to return to the role of judge. If this happens, most of the time, those volunteers return and are placed on another team.
Although the judges are present to facilitate and ensure fair competition, they ultimately share these responsibilities with the athlete. As stated in section 1.19 of the CrossFit® regulation:
“At all stages of the CrossFit® Games, it is the athlete's responsibility to adhere to the event format. This includes performing all required movements according to the described standard; count and complete all required repetitions; using the required equipment, loads and floor; meet time requirements; and meet all video submission standards. "
As Competition Director, Adrian Bozman established:
“The JUDGES have a responsibility to make every athlete respect the same standard of movement.
To do this well, they must be skilled and trained enough to discern the standard in difficult circumstances.
ATHLETES have a responsibility to perform the movements correctly. Athletes need to recognize that the closer their movement is to the center of the spectrum (between obviously bad and obviously good), the more involvement of their judge will be required. "
A MESSAGE FOR THE ARMCHAIR JUDGE 🇮🇹 A MESSAGE FOR THE ARMCHAIR JUDGE
Just like in other sports, the CrossFit® world has keyboard judges, which are sure that if they were on the court they would make the right choice.
My answer is… show us!
Get your credentials and join the volunteers.
Go to your local competition and judge. Start assisting with video review during the online stages of the season.
When you have the keen eye we are looking for, we would love to have you as part of our judges team.
Until then, the next time you see a volunteer judge at CrossFit® Games or any local competition, thank them for their time and hard work. Without judges we would not have the Sport of Fitness.
Original article: THE JUDGE'S JOB
Translated by: Jacopo Fiorillo - CF L2 / PT FIPE L1 / CrossFit® JUDGE
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