True judging philosophy isn't always found on the sheets

Last night was guard championships. TP and his crew did an fantastic job, but you wouldn't know it. Why?

Beats me.

Performing for an audience of fans and parents is one thing. They "see" things in a way that judges don't. Judges are expected to be discerning. To know the nuances and bring neutrality to the process of looking at 14 units - or more - then ranking and rating. (I've blogged on that before.)

But inexplicably you get to championships, and the judges see that your work is 8 points worse (10%!) than last week? And not much better than the first show out?

I have always had trouble "judging" indoor. Most of the time I can peg a drum corps, get ideas about where bands should be, and understand some of the equipment and precision aspects of indoor. But ...

Major League or not, we are working with kids, who may not understand the adjudication system, but who make the commitment of time and effort to improve. Even a football team that goes 0-10 will improve.

Please don't confuse this with a "trophy for everyone" or "every kid is a winner." There are winners. There are losers. This is competition. The ultimate goal is to compete against yourself and improve yourself.

But when you can't get consistent feedback that you can rely on to be helpful, it is beyond disappointing, it is frustrating. Ultimately, judges (parents and bosses), this is what you hold in your hands.

To the guard - use this experience as the "SPark" to future success. In the long run, it will make you a winner.