Trial Judging & Mentoring
All JAM members are required to participate in our Mentor Program, as well as trial judge at at least two competitions before being scheduled to officiate. This is necessary to become more proficient with the Minnesota dance team score sheet criteria.
Our Mentor Program is a requirement for all members in their first year of officiating with JAM, and is the first step members take in the season after attending our annual training.
First-year members select one of two available mentor competitions to attend. There, they will be placed in a small group with other first-year members (mentees), and led by a veteran official (the mentor). Unlike a typical day of officiating, new members may discuss the routines as they are being performed. Additionally, mentees will be given the opportunity to view the tabulation room in process and practice kick counting and timing.
The goal of this day is for new members to get a feel for the flow of officiating at a competition, gain a better understanding of the Minnesota Average scale, practice scoring and kick counting/timing, and learn best practices from their mentor. The mentoring program typically takes place at a large Saturday invitational early in the season that will give participants a chance to judge both high kick and jazz, ideally in all three Minnesota dance team classes (A, AA, AAA) at the Varsity and Junior Varsity levels.
The mentoring program is an unpaid opportunity and participants must provide their own officiating materials.
After the Mentor Program: Applying to Judge
While all new members begin in a support role as a Kick Count/Timer (KCT)/Tabulator, the Mentor Program gives officials the opportunity to test out Judging (scoring teams), and see if this is something they would like to continue doing in addition to KCT/Tabulation. After the day is completed, if you are interested in moving forward to become a judge (in addition to KCT/Tabulation), you may 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.
After the Core Group approves a judge application, the applicant will be scheduled for TrialJudging. Read below for more information on Trial Judging.
2025-2026 Mentor Program Dates
To be announced.
JAM Mentor Program
Members whose applications are approved to Judge must successfully complete two trial judging sessions to qualify for regular Judge assignments.
Similar to the Mentor Program, Trial Judging also provides new members with an opportunity to get familiar with what it’s like to Judge at a real competition. However, they will not be able to discuss the routines as they are being performed.
Instead, Trial Judges score the entire competition as if they were a scheduled official for that meet, but their scores will not count toward the meet’s final results. The goal of each Trial Judging experience is to practice scoring, analyze your scores compared to the meet’s scheduled officials, and receive feedback from the meet’s Superior Judge after the fact.
Trial Judges are expected to arrive on time, prepared, and follow all guidelines of Judging professionalism, including participating in the post-meet conference.
Trial Judging may take place at any of the competitions predetermined by the JAM schedulers (new members will be informed of which competitions are open to Trial Judges). These typically take place during weeknight competitions, as they are shorter.
Like the Mentor Program, Trial Judging positions are also unpaid. At least two Trial Judging meets are required for all new members regardless of previous dancing, coaching, and/or officiating experience. You may Trial Judge at more than two competitions until you feel ready to officiate, and/or even during any year with JAM beyond your first year for an opportunity to learn.