Washington State Spirit Judges (WSSJA) Website

Safety/Tech Questions: cbheiner@gmail.com

2009-10 WSSJA Intern Packet.pdf

Laurie Daniel lauried143@aol.com

Judging is done by panels of three performance judges using the Washington State Dance/Drill Offical Score Sheet.  Most competitions have two panels.  The same panel judges all teams within a given category.  Performance judges complete score sheets and assign scores for each performance.  They also provide recorded comments.

In addition to performance judges, there are two safety/technical judges.  Their job is to assess all penalties including: timing, improper exit/re-entry, prop set up/removal, and all safety violations (see Safety/Technical Form).  After a team's performance, it is the coaches' responsibility to pick up the Safety/Technical form.  All teams get a form, even if they don’t have a penalty.

Safety/Tech Questions?  Contact WSSJA President, Cara Heiner @ cbheiner@gmail.com

Appealing a Safety/Technical Ruling:  Any appeal should be based only on an error in applying a WIAA Rule or National Federation Spirit/Safety Rule. No appeal shall be heard on judgment calls by an official. The Head Technical/Safety judge shall be the only and final interpreter of the rules at the event. 

The Safety/Technical Form will indicate the official time of a team's routine and if the team has received any penalties/deductions. Coaches have 20 minutes to appeal any penalties, starting from the time they pick up Form (called the Time of Notification). All appeals must be in writing and forms will be available at the Safety/Technical Table. Coaches must return your written appeal to the Safety/Technical Table within the 20 minute time frame. At that time, the appeal will go to the Judges Coordinator for review. Coaches will be notified in writing within a short period of time if your appeal has been upheld or denied.  In order for an appeal to be upheld, it must be established that the error made by the judge was the determining factor in penalty points being assessed.

The following actions will void any appeal:  Failure to observe the time limit; approaching or trying to influence a judge’s decision; disruptive behavior by a coach, squad or individual (including parents); verbally abusing or disrespectfully addressing a judge or competition official.

Coaches are strongly encouraged to provide appropriate feedback (both positive and negative) to judges about their score sheets and tapes.  The purpose of feedback is to help judges improve their skills.  The feedback should be the same type of constructive criticism you would give to one of your students.  Feedback should be provided using the feedback form that will be available on the WSSJA website.

If you believe a judge has acted unethically, you may lodge a complaint.  Complaints must be made through your supervising administrator at your school to the Washington Officials Association.   If you are not sure if your concern warrants an official complaint, contact the WSDDCA President or WSDDCA Executive Director.

Level 1: Most Conflict: No Judging under normal circumstances

• Is currently coaching the students competing; has formerly coached within the previous 4 years or has been a participant with the students competing.
• Is related to the coach or team member competing.
• Has choreographed or cleaned any part of the routine being judged.
• Has graduated from the school in the previous 4 years.

Level 2: Some Conflict: Judging will be avoided if at all possible

• Has choreographed a routine in a different category for a competing team.
• Personally knows the coach or a team member competing.
• Works at the school competing.
• Is currently a coach and will be judging teams who compete in the same category as that of their team.

Level 3: Little Conflict: Disclosure of conflict only

• Graduated from the school 4+ years ago.
• Is an alumni of the team.
• Coached the team 4+ years ago.
• Previously choreographed for the team.
• Has a previous relationship of any dance/drill nature.
• Is familiar with the coach or team member (in passing only).