Efficiency Experts In Blue!! (September
1998)
by Judy Dobransky
There are many aspects to meet efficiency, and our ladies in blue can add to the success of any competition from the outset. These suggestions are but guidelines based on experience and may stimulate and encourage new steps in handling coaches, meet directors, officials, and meet assistants.
PREPARATION
Carry a checklist for meets and be sure the meet director has the necessary forms and supplies for the competition.
 | Sanction sheet...signatures of all judges |
| General meet format...individual gyms will vary |
| Meet Scoring system...explanation of score sheets, runners, flashers, score table averaging, score checking responsibility |
| Flashing the start value for optionals |
| Inquiry sheets |
| Instructions for timers...check watches |
| Starting times, session breaks, meal plans |
| Signing of the master score sheets |
| Judges pay sheet...vouchers |
ALWAYS BRING YOUR RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR PROPER REFERENCE
As meet referee, you should try to be at the coaches meeting whenever possible. Welcome the coaches; at state meets and above extend your congratulations to the athletes who have qualified to compete. Ask for questions, interpretations, and any new skills. Let the coaches know you are approachable and will be handling all the inquiries. Advise the coaches to inquire 'per event' and not wait until the last event if the qualification score is going to be close. Be sure to remind them that they should have watched the routine, but should feel free to question if they are concerned about their athlete's score. Plan to assist or guide the coaches if the inquiry format is incorrect.
Take charge of your judges' meeting. The expectation is that the judges arrive at least 1/2 hour before the competition (earlier if films need to be reviewed). Go over all the check list items. Let the judges know what has been covered in the coaches meeting. The panels should go out to the floor and check the seating arrangement in order to best handle their events and make any necessary changes before march in.
Meet referee and chief judge positions should be assigned (barring affiliation problems) to the more experienced official/s. With equal qualification a decision should have been made prior to the meet. Create and offer pre-season sessions for potential chief judges and meet referees. Suggest that attendance is necessary for consideration of placement and encourage participation. These sessions can be offered at early state meetings, congress, open board meetings, and can and should be offered more than once!
