How to Be a Figure Skating Judge

Figure skating judges--you've cheered and booed their decisions, questioned their thinking and celebrated their independence. You've probably even thought, "Hey, I could do that!" It's a little tougher than you might imagine to be a figure skating judge, but here's how to proceed when you think you're called to sit rinkside and hold up those 6.0s.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Evaluate your qualifications. To succeed as a figure skating judge at any level, for any event, you need a love of the sport, the ability to make independent and impartial decisions, willingness to devote the time and money this volunteer position demands, the flexibility to handle stress and the physical capability to endure long sessions, see and hear clearly and travel from venue to venue. Knowledge of the fundamentals of skating--whether gained from study or experience--is critical, but you can and will pick this up and add to it by learning throughout your judging career.

2. Decide on an area of concentration. Choose to judge any of the USFS types of skating: individual, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating. Your judging career benefits by exposure to all of these levels and disciplines, but you should begin by qualifying in one area.

3. Register with US Figure Skating by calling headquarters at [phone]. You'll receive a trial judge kit, and you'll be assigned an experienced judge as your mentor. You also need to order a current copy of the USFS rulebook, which becomes your bible for judging.

4. Immerse yourself in figure skating from the judging standpoint. Begin the trial judging at the local club level, but even before that, spend as much time as possible watching the way other judges judge. Keep your own notes and compare them to the official outcomes. As long as you maintain confidentiality, other judges are willing to discuss their decisions with you.

5. Let local clubs know you are interested in trial judging tests (ranking and qualifying events). Your mentor will help you through this process. Once you have gained sufficient experience judging tests, you may wish to begin trial judging competitions. Trial competition judging begins at the local Novice level; you must acquire experience and pass certain qualifying examinations to move up in the ranks.

6. Prepare to take the USFS judges' examination. You need to pass this test in order to receive an official (non-trial) judging position, and you must take it again every two years in order to stay eligible to judge. Check with your regional judging office and your mentor to find out the schedule for test preparation sessions and exams.

7. Continue the learning process. Skating, like other sports, undergoes frequent changes in standards and regulations, and the best judges are always learning from classes, workshops, practice and contact with other judges. Advancement in judging requires the completion of a certain number of continuing education units (CEUs) every four years.

Tips & Warnings

• You must be 16 years old in order to begin trial judging. You must be 18 years old to serve as an official judge. All judges, trial or official, must maintain current membership in US Figure Skating.
• If it's been a while since you competed, or your figure skating knowledge is more theoretical than experience-based, you might benefit from enrolling in a USFS Basic Skills course.
• If you are lucky enough to be a successful competitive figure skater, ice dancer or member of a synchronized skating team and you are interested in making the transition to judging, contact US Figure Skating to see whether you qualify for the select or accelerated programs.
• Figure skating judges are volunteers. Official judges usually receive compensation for travel, expenses, and lodging, but not for their time. You will receive no compensation during your trial period.
• These steps apply to US figure skating judges only. Each national figure skating organization has its own rules and standards. To judge figure skating in Canada, for example, you must have experience as a competitive skater. If you are outside the USA, contact your local skating authority to find out how to be a judge.

Resources

• Learn more about judging and order the USFS rulebook.

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