How to Become a Scooter Judge

Becoming an officially certified competitive scootering judge is a structured process based on international World Skate standards:

1. Sport knowledge — deep understanding of the discipline, competition formats, and scoring system
2. PZSW judging course — training covering theory (rules, ethics, scoring) and practice (live judging, software operation)
3. Examination — a test verifying acquired knowledge
4. License — upon completion, judges receive authorization to judge all official PZSW competitions

At official PZSW-sanctioned events, judge compensation starts at a minimum of 500 PLN net (approximately $125 USD).

All judges certified by PZSW must strictly follow the judges' code of conduct:

Impartiality and Objectivity

• Maintain full impartiality — do not be influenced by relationships with riders, their past results, or popularity
• Objectively evaluate the technical level of each run, without being swayed by fashion, protective gear, or clothing
• "We judge the rider's run, not the rider and their appearance"

Professionalism

• Behave in a dignified manner appropriate to the judging function
• Maintain a "stone face" — do not show emotions triggered by runs or individual tricks
• Must not be under the influence of alcohol or prohibited substances during judging

Confidentiality

• Maintain confidentiality of discussions between judges regarding the skatepark, potential runs, and competition level
• Limit external communication to a minimum during judging

Integrity

• Do not discriminate based on race, gender, age, nationality, disability, or sexual orientation
• Remain free from bribes, bets, or attempts to manipulate results
• Do not engage in any form of harassment or violence

The scoring format is not meant to standardize what is correct or incorrect — it teaches how to evaluate runs, not how to ride correctly.

What to Avoid

Judges must remain objective, avoiding viewing riders through the lens of:

• Positive or negative relationships with the rider
• A rider's return from injury (sympathy must not influence scoring)
• Results from previous competitions (each event is scored fresh)
• Clothing style or lifestyle

Scooter Size Matters

"The scooter should always match the rider." Scooter size is relevant to scoring when it affects the overall presentation across all four criteria. For example:

• Handlebars too tall for a short rider may affect style
• A deck too small for a large foot may affect flow and control
• A light scooter with small wheels causing a hunched posture may lower the style score

Considering the Skatepark

Judges must account for the type of skatepark and obstacle characteristics — not every park offers the same opportunities.

The judging panel should function as one unified body with clear internal communication:

Communication Rules

• Judges should maintain constant communication — even during breaks between categories
• Any inconsistencies or uncertainties should be discussed with the head judge immediately after the run, before confirming the score in the app
• Every judge has the right to express their opinion (group consultation when in doubt)

What's Not Allowed

• Communication between the audience or riders and judges during runs is prohibited
• Judges must maintain confidentiality of shared information
• External communication must be kept to a minimum

Documenting Run Details

Record key elements of each run: trick count, number of pushes, stumbles, unclean landings, and exceptional use of the skatepark. Everything that helps with the final, objective score calculation.

Managing the Score Scale

• Low starting baseline — the initial scoring threshold for the first rider should be low, leaving room for higher scores for better runs
• Score reserve — the 95-100 point range is reserved for the best runs by top-level riders
• Calibration — especially important in younger categories to avoid approaching the maximum ceiling

Personal Judging Techniques

Each judge may develop their own techniques while maintaining the overall judging principles:

• "Top-down" judging — start with a high score and deduct for errors
• "Bottom-up" judging — build the score from zero by adding for individual elements

Judging Software Operation

The practical portion of the course includes training on the JudgeMate system — the professional judging application used at PZSW competitions.

Rider briefings are a key element of professional competitions:

Day-of Briefing

• Held immediately after registration closes
• Riders must receive information about: competition format, scoring criteria, and what judges will focus on
• This element is essential to avoid disputes and unnecessary arguments
• Judges must be prepared to answer rider questions about judging aspects

Online Briefing (Before the Event)

• Should be published at least one week in advance
• In PDF format on the PZSW website and on the event page (e.g., Facebook)
• Contains the scoring system, competition format, and other guidelines
• May be condensed regarding the specific focus areas of judges

Main Principle

Once results are approved by the head judge and published, they are final and not subject to appeal.

However, riders may request a clarification regarding judging:

Who Can Submit a Request

• Riders or the national team manager
• For minors — a legal guardian must sign the request

Deadline and Format

• At any point during the competition or within 24 hours of its conclusion
• On a dedicated form at the competition office or online (email: biuro@pzsw.org)

Required Information

• Rider's full name, country
• Date, time, and competition phase
• Detailed description of the clarification request
• Email contact and signature

Processing Time

• 24 hours from submission if the competition is ongoing
• Up to one week from the end of the competition if submitted afterward