On becoming a USAG T&T Judge

About a month or so ago, Ian and I went through the certification process to become Category III T&T judges. Since then, Ian has had the chance to judge at two meets, and I was at one of those. We are both planning to judge at the upcoming MO State championships. We can't make it to Regional, and I have the feeling we won't make it out to J.O. Nationals since it is in San Jose. But you never know.

Judging has been an interesting experience and has given me much better insight into the difference between a good routine and a great routine, some things I wish I had known when Ian was still competing. I think that every parent of a competitive T&T athlete should have the opportunity to sit through the training.

At the very least, every parent should take the time to read through the Code of Points to understand exactly how the various events are scored. (Check with your team coach for their copy of the Code of Points.)

That isn't to say that every parent should actually become certified and perform as a judge, though. Each team should have a couple of people certified as judges, because judges are always needed at meets, but it isn't an easy - or cheap - thing for anyone to do. The basic requirements for becoming a judge are:

• Become a USAG Pro (or Jr. Pro if 16-17 years old) member: $83 ($55) per year
• Complete USAG Safety Certification: $65 every four years
• Complete USAG background check: $25+ every two years
  

Just to get started will cost you over $170, and this is before you even take the judges certification courses. The courses are $45 for each event, or $135 for all three. Add to that the cost of a judge's "uniform" (Navy suit for men, Navy skirt/jacket for women) if you don't already have it, and you've got a sizable initial investment.

Of course, you get paid for working as a judge, but as a Category III judge it is doubtful if you will even cover your travel, etc expenses for a given event, much less the upfront investment. Becoming a judge really only makes sense if you know you have to travel someplace anyway to watch your son/daughter compete.

Or if, like us, you simply want to be involved in the sport in a different - noncompetitive - way.