Judging ... kids you coached in HS at College OR

**theatrix04** · 10-24-2004, 11:37 PM

when you have changed schools? Any thoughts from others? We have a couple of assistant coaches that have moved on to full time jobs at another school OR coaching/judging for a high school and college. Recently, they were judging at College Competition and had one of the kids they coached last year. They judged, competitor felt really awkward. This coach is also working/judging with another high school this year and will run into kids from our team at tournaments. I have recommended to the head coach and to this assistant that they NOT judge students they have coached in the past year. This has always been what has happened with others I know in the past.

I just was checking if anyone else had any thoughts about this, ethically or for the comfort of the students. Thanks for your input.

**Josiahzacks** · 10-24-2004, 11:42 PM

When I was in HS, I was occaisionally judged by people I had competed against in the past. For the most part, I found that they gave much more constructive criticism than the average mommy judge, and tended to be fairly impartial.

I am now a freshmen in college, and I have already judged people who I hit in HS at various levels. I have to say that my previous knowledge of a competitor in no way effected my ability to be an impartial judge. If anything, I made more of an effort to evaluate everyone on an equal playing field.

So long as the judge is mature and knowledgable, I see no real problem with former competitors judging those against whom the competed.

**theatrix04** · 10-24-2004, 11:57 PM

this is a person who coached the student last year. These coaches could also come in contact with many other students they coached last year since they moved to a school which we compete against and judges for a couple colleges in the area.

I have NO problem with competitors judging other competitors, as stated,if they are mature and knowledgable. In fact, over the years I have found many of these to be extremely GOOD judges.

My question was about a coach who could run into situation with juding student they coached LAST year.

Again, I understand maturity and knowledgable judge. My concern is more with comfort of students and ethical (whether favorable or not) since there is a working relationship (whether good or not).

Just curious what others thought about this situation. Thanks for the input.

**ria** · 10-25-2004, 12:15 PM

competitors judging competitors is ok, but i don't think it's right for a former coach to judge a former student. i have to say, it would be really awkward for me to be judged by lasure (my current coach).

**sassafrassz** · 10-25-2004, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by Josiahzacks

When I was in HS, I was occaisionally judged by people I had competed against in the past. For the most part, I found that they gave much more constructive criticism than the average mommy judge, and tended to be fairly impartial.

I am now a freshmen in college, and I have already judged people who I hit in HS at various levels. I have to say that my previous knowledge of a competitor in no way effected my ability to be an impartial judge. If anything, I made more of an effort to evaluate everyone on an equal playing field.

So long as the judge is mature and knowledgable, I see no real problem with former competitors judging those against whom the competed.

My friend last year missed finaling at a tournament by ONE POINT because her judge gave her the 3 (I was there, she dererved the 1 hands down - and I'm not being biased) because she had competed against her the previous year and Natalie (my friend) beat her. Lame? Yes. Most judges are usually impartial, but when they aren't, it really really sucks.

**IamTHATnerd** · 10-25-2004, 06:09 PM

ok, so i hate to sound like a butthole, but first off, did she put on the ballot that she didnt like her? if not, then how do you know? and second, did she have a 1,1,3? if she missed finals by one point, obviously the other judges put her down, too. im sorry, its not you, its just we've had this problem a lot around louisiana, and i hate it when people think just because someone is judged by a former competitor, that theyll be docked because they beat them at some point. who cares? and its not only the competitors, coaches freak out too! its so dumb. former competitors give the best comments on ballots, and are, in my opinion, some of the best qualified judges. *whew!!* ok, i had to rant, sorry. im done!!!

**sassafrassz** · 10-25-2004, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by IamTHATnerd

ok, so i hate to sound like a butthole, but first off, did she put on the ballot that she didnt like her? if not, then how do you know? and second, did she have a 1,1,3? if she missed finals by one point, obviously the other judges put her down, too. im sorry, its not you, its just we've had this problem a lot around louisiana, and i hate it when people think just because someone is judged by a former competitor, that theyll be docked because they beat them at some point. who cares? and its not only the competitors, coaches freak out too! its so dumb. former competitors give the best comments on ballots, and are, in my opinion, some of the best qualified judges. *whew!!* ok, i had to rant, sorry. im done!!!

Yes, she was 1,1,3. And when we watched finals, it was obvious that she could've beaten half the people in there, if not all of them. I understand where you're coming from, totally, but this judge also gave the lamest comments: "You need to enunciate your "g's" more", etc.

**Ryan** · 10-25-2004, 08:16 PM

If she went 1,1,3, how'd she miss breaking to finals?

**IamTHATnerd** · 10-25-2004, 09:02 PM

thankyou mr. admin, sir! 8)

**sassafrassz** · 10-25-2004, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by Basaltrock

If she went 1,1,3, how'd she miss breaking to finals?

Well, you needed a cum of 4 or lower to break. She had 5 (1+1+3=5). It was a fairly large tournament, and A LOT of people do prose around here, because it requires little prep- (unless you acctually want to do WELL.) So it is usually very hard to break, hence the cum of 4 or lower.