Your First Season as a JAM Official

• Fill out the JAM Registration form here.

• Register with the MSHSL here.

• After you’ve filled out the JAM registration form, paid your membership fee, and registered with the MSHSL, sit tight. Beginning around September, you will receive an email from us with an invitation to join the private JAM General Membership Facebook group. Here is where you will receive most updates and need-to-know information throughout the season, as well as via email.

• You should expect to hear more details about your selected training date in the weeks leading up to training.

• You may purchase any lap counter and stopwatch you prefer, but below are examples of what you need:

  • Lap counter – This is what you will use to count kicks in every routine.

  • Stopwatch – This is what you will use to time routines.

• You will need both your lap counter and stopwatch at training to learn and practice how to kick count/time routines.

You must attend one of two trainings offered in October:

• Northern Training at St. Cloud Cathedral High School (Oct. 4, 2025)

• Metro Training at Edina Community Center (Oct. 25, 2025)

• You must complete a Rules Meeting, Rules Exam, Concussion Training, and Background Check (all virtual). These are usually due in late October.

• You can attend a Rules Exam Party via Zoom to go through the Rules Exam with other members.

• After training, you’ll receive an email from our Scheduling Team with a Google Form to fill out your availability for the 2026-2027 season.

• Here, you will select your Mentor Program and Trial Judging dates, as well as detail your availability for the entire season.

• Learn more about what the Mentor Program is here. This is required for all new officials.

• Mentor Program dates for the 2026-2027 season are TBD.

• All new officials will automatically begin in a support role as a Kick Count-Timer (KCT)/Tabulation member. This provides essential experience and insight into JAM’s operations and Judging process.

• Once the mentorship program is completed, you may express your interest in becoming a Judge.

• Members interested in moving into a Judging role must submit a formal application. This helps us assess each individual’s readiness and alignment with JAM’s expectations.

• Applications will be reviewed by the Core Group. In their evaluation, they will consider several factors, including prior dance knowledge, professionalism, communication skills, and overall readiness to Judge effectively.

Please note that Core Group approval of your application does not guarantee a Judging position at every competition for which you are scheduled — rather, you may be scheduled in a Judging position at any given competition for which you are eligible and available to officiate. You may still be scheduled to KCT or Tabulate at any given competition.

• If the Core Group approves your Judge application, you will be scheduled for Trial Judging. To qualify for regular Judge assignments, you must successfully complete two Trial Judging sessions.

• Learn more about Trial Judging here. This will take placed on two weeknight meets, and available Trial Judging dates will be indicated by the Scheduling Team.

• If your Judge application is not approved, or you choose not to apply, you do not need to complete Trial Judging. Instead, you will move right into being scheduled to KCT/Tabulate.

• Most assignments in your first season will be in Kick Counting/Timing with some Tabulation and potentially Judging thrown in, if you apply and are approved to Judge.

• Sign up for as many meets as you are able, particularly for outstate meets! This may result in more assignments your first season.

• Reach out to your fellow officials for carpooling! That way you can connect with other officials and make those longer trips easier.

• Ask questions and participate during pre- and post-meet conferences!