IMPORTANT NOTICE

You must hold US Skiing & Snowboarding membership in order to be cleared on all compliance requirements, (SafeSport & Background Check) in order to sign up for a clinic or online recertification. This process may take up to four weeks to complete in some cases. Go HERE to begin the process.

SafeSport

Federal law requires that adults who have frequent contact with or are in positions of authority over minors must receive consistent education on prevention and reporting. While USASA has always required SafeSport we must now ensure compliance every year under these new guidelines. Each year will alternate between a long course and a shortened version. We want to be sure you give this education the time it deserves and plan accordingly when purchasing your membership. You will be prompted once you begin your registration process at US Ski & Snowboard. When you have been cleared and have a current Officials Membership with US Ski & Snowboard, you can join USASA as a Officials/Judge Member.

Background Check

As always, US Ski & Snowboard will continue to require background checks for all Adult Athletes, Coaches, Officials and Judges. US Ski & Snowboard will advise once your compliances standards are met. Background checks can take a minimum of 4 business days or in some case four weeks to complete! Please sign up early to make sure the you leave time to be cleared well before the first USASA clinics for certification or events. You will be prompted once you begin your registration process. When you have been cleared and have current Officials Membership with US Ski & Snowboard, you can join USASA as a Officials/Judge Member.

Overview

Freeski & snowboard judging, at all levels, should never limit, restrict, or reduce the originality, creativity, and progression of the sport(s). The USASA Freestyle commission oversees all USASA judging materials, rules and guidelines. Judges must be 18 years of age or older and you will find the sign up under the judge resources tab HERE.

Levels Offered- 

C Level Clinic- Intro to Judging

Designed for the new judge who has general understanding of freeski and snowboarding maneuvers and is interested in Judging at USASA regional events.

B/A Level Clinic- National Level Judge

Reprogrammed to meet the needs of the developing USASA judge who is interested in expanding their proficiency in steno, trick identification, and is eager to move up to higher level competitions. FIS national level materials will be introduced and an advanced pace of learning will be present.

What to Expect

Each clinic is approximately 6 hrs of in depth introduction and review of judging guidelines and procedures. Level B and Level C Judge Certifications can be provided virtually, typically provided in two 3-hour sessions. For judges wanting Level A Certification, in-person attendance to a clinic is required.

Materials Covered

Judge education is driven from the FIS Judges handbook and manual and boiled down to present regional USASA judges with the first steps needed to become a judge. All USASA rules and procedures will be followed and most competitions are judged by a hybrid panel of fresski and snowboard judges. Once you have your US Ski & Snowboard and USASA Officials Membership, attend the judge developer clinic and pass the exam you can judge at USASA events!

Ethics and Code of Conduct

• A judge shall score and rank each competitor fairly, without bias, without regard to past impressions and without regard to the competitor’s national affiliation, race, gender or sponsor.
• A qualified judge will never favor or discredit a competitor for his or her personal preferences or affiliations to the judge himself or other people/entities.
• Judges must always aim to give the fairest evaluation of each Competitor based on the same criteria and same scale equally to all competitors.
• A judge shall always conduct themselves in a professional manner at a competition.

Snowboard and Freeski Judges consider the following criteria when evaluating and comparing competition runs. (Often referred to as the PAVED criteria)

• Progression
• Amplitude
• Variety
• Execution
• Difficulty

Certification Level Expiration

Judge Levels begin at Level C and move to Level B, then Level A, upon successfully passing each Level clinic and proficiency at each level is demonstrated.

• Level B/C Judge Certification is valid for 2 years, then USASA re-certification is required.
• Level A Judge Certification is valid for 3 years, then USASA Re-certification is required.
• (FIS Judges are required to do re-certification every 2 years)

Becoming a Judge Developer: Lead a Judges Clinic!

To Lead a Judges Clinic, you should:

• Have a FIS Judge certification or be a Judge Trainer
• Have 3+ years Judging Experience
• Receive training on Judge Clinic materials prior to leading one
• Prior teaching experience a plus

Reach out to support@usasa.org

 if you are interested in becoming a Judge Developer.