PROFESSIONALISM FOR JUDGES
Professionalism and ethics are topics on the forefront of conversations regarding sports that have judges these days. With the figure skating scandal of the 2002 Winter Olympics, the general public, as well as athletes, coaches and parents have a particularly heightened sense of awareness of fair play; they desire accountability. As judges, it is our duty to constantly review our actions, and to make sure they continually conform to the highest professional and ethical standards.
The main focus of our job as judges is to produce an accurate score for each gymnast's routine. This score should be a product of each judge's impartial, specialized, logical and unbiased opinion. Gymnastics is a sport that is continually growing and evolving. As judges, it is our responsibility to remain in-tune with frequently changing rules and policies. Correct application of these rules is of the utmost importance. We need to practice our judging skills, and strive for the constant increase of mental competency.
Although the main focus of our job is to produce an accurate score, there are numerous other situations where our professionalism can be called into question. Judges need to come up with their scores independently. Conversation within a judging panel should be restricted. We are all aware that coaches keep a close eye on conferences between judges. They will often send in an inquiry if discussion lasts longer than usual. Runners, flashers, timers, and other parent volunteers are often privy to these conferences, and will often share what was said with one another. It is best to assume that what is said during a conference will be passed along. With this in mind, it may be necessary to hold your conference privately, away from other people who may misconstrue your discussion.
Appearance and perception are also often integral parts of the judging equation. Coaches and parents evaluate the judges using similar equations. These perceptions are sometimes quite straight forward, where the perception and reality coincide. Other times perception and reality are quite different. When parents in the stands see judges laughing and joking with some coaches or gymnasts and not others, this can lead to the perception of favoritism. Parents and coaches do keep score. For them their reality is their perception. Judges should constantly evaluate their actions, and continually ask themselves, "Could my actions lead to an erroneous perception?"
The following are some specific judging Do's and Don'ts
DO'S
*Understand there are high expectations from the general public regarding your behavior and decisions
*Provide impartial, logical and unbiased opinions
*Be able to accurately apply your knowledge of the rules and constantly work to acquire new knowledge as things change
*Behave with integrity and compassion
*Remain impartial throughout the entire competition
*Avoid situations that could lead to incorrect perceptions
*Arrive at your score independently
*Arrive unprepared
*Disregard rules
*Judge the gymnast on their potential and not on their actual performance
*Act differently toward coaches and/or gymnasts you know, as opposed to those you do not know
Our most important job is to support the athletes through a competitive experience free from any perceived partiality or prejudice. When we as judges strive to be the most professional and ethical judges we can be, we help the whole gymnastics community by placing the ability to win or lose solely in the hands of the athletes. Their actual performance should be the focal point of each competition.
CINDY LORD
REGION II RJD