A Class Scoring

When the A class guards voted to adopt the 70/130 score sheets 3 years ago, they were uniformly in support of the emphasis being placed on training and intelligent writing for this class of students. This was reinforced last year when they were surveyed to assure that they still supported this premise. The addition of the A and Open Class Representatives on the Education Committee allowed their input to reinforce even further the suitability and the importance of this premise. Adjudication of the A class must emphasize basics of training and achievement, and the logical writing of vocabulary, program design and composition.

So let's look at what this means.

EQUIPMENT AND MOVEMENT

• There are differences between how Open and World Classes are judged and in how the A class is judged.



• The sub-captions in Equipment and Movement are far more pure than they are in Open and World Class.



• There WILL be ties in vocabulary.



• Excellence MUST be the determining factor in the outcome of the IA captions.



• IA judges will apply the "Who, What, How" approach to recognition commentary. (This is the same for all classes)

GE & EA

• GE & EA judges should support and reward the logic and correctness of the design and the sound writing of equipment and movement within the composition/repertoire.



• GE & EA judges should guide the A class designers in the appropriate layering of equipment and body within the show.



• GE/EA judges must fully understand the directives given to the IA captions in order to support the emphasis on quality, training and achievement within the A classes.

All judges are asked to emphasize the importance of achievement in this class.

We understand the challenge to the judge when differences such as these exist. It's not simple when the philosophy differs from class to class, however, it is a sound educational tenet that younger students are taught and managed at a different level from older students. We appreciate your commitment to applying the principles and the differences within the classes.