Judge Positions & Qualifications
Program Philosophy
Evaluate teams fairly with the goal of education.
Always keep the safety of the athletes in mind.
Judge/tabulate with integrity, openness and enthusiasm.
Create an atmosphere of respect for all coaches, judging team members, athletes and parents.
Judge Qualifications
18+ years of age.
Alberta resident.
2+ years of cheer experience as an athlete and/or coach with a recognized program or organization.
Successful completion of the ACA’s annual training.
Successful completion of Cheer Canada’s judging exams.
Approved ACA and Cheer Canada member registration as an Official.
Available to judge/tabulate at a minimum of 3 ACA-sanctioned competitions per season.
Judges who intend to fill Legality Judge positions must complete the IASF Officials Certification for levels 1-7.
Judges who intend to fill Score Check positions are strongly encouraged to complete the IASF Officials Certification for levels 1-7.
Judge Positions
ACA judges must be prepared to evaluate teams in all divisions and levels at ACA-sanctioned competitions. Consideration is given to knowledge and experience levels when assigning judges to the various positions. Judging positions include:
Panel Judge
Responsibilities: Judging Building, Tumbling or Overall elements of routines.
May be filled by judges of any experience level.
Legality Judge
Responsibilities:
Ensures rules are followed.
May be filled by judges of any experience level.
Deduction Judge
Responsibilities:
Ensures time requirements are met.
Assesses deductions for bobbles, falls and routine violations.
May be filled by judges of any experience level.
Score Check Judge
Responsibilities:
Ensure appeals are received before the expiration time.
Ensure documentation outlining the appeal is properly completed.
Review appeals and videos and consult with panel, safety and supervisory judges.
Determine if an appeal is accepted or denied and advise coaches of the decision.
May be filled by judges of any experience level.
Supervisory Judge
Responsibilities:
Liaise with the EP regarding judge-related requirements.
Oversee judges in all positions and the tabulation team.
Consult with judges throughout the event to ensure scores and comments are appropriate.
Ensure changes are made when necessary.
Resolve issues and concerns from judges or at score check.
Liaise with ACA staff.
May be filled by judges who have a minimum of 3+ years of judging experience and have judged at a minimum of 15 competitions.
Tabulator
Responsibilities:
Compiling scoring data and inputting it into the system for results and rankings.
May be filled by members of the cheer community with athlete, coaching, or judging experience. It is essential that tabulators have a solid understanding of judging, score sheets, computer systems and math and demonstrate high attention to detail.
Training Sessions
Updated: October 31, 2023
ACA Judging Education sessions have concluded for 2023 - 2024. Thank you to everyone that attended an ACA Judging Education session this year.
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