How Do Gymnastics Judges Become Judges?

A Parent's Guide to Understanding the People Behind the Scores

"Who Are These Judges, and How Do They Know What to Look For?"

Every gymnastics parent has been there.

Your gymnast finishes a routine that looked amazing, and then the score appears.

Maybe it's higher than expected...

Maybe it's lower...

And suddenly you're wondering:

• Who decides these scores?

• How do judges learn all these deductions?

• Were they gymnasts themselves?

• How does someone become a gymnastics judge?

The answer is that becoming a gymnastics judge requires a significant amount of education, testing, training, and continuing education. Judges don't simply learn the rules once and start scoring competitions forever. In fact, they spend countless hours studying rule books, attending clinics, taking exams, and staying current with changes in the sport.

Let's take a closer look behind the judges' table.

What Does a Gymnastics Judge Do?

A judge's job is to evaluate routines based on a specific set of rules established by the governing organization.

Depending on the competition, this may include:

• USAG (USA Gymnastics)

• NGA (National Gymnastics Association)

• NCAA

• FIG (International Gymnastics Federation)

Judges evaluate:

• Execution

• Technique

• Form

• Artistry

• Composition

• Required elements

• Landing quality

Their goal is to score routines consistently and fairly according to the rule book.

Most Judges Start With a Background in Gymnastics

Many judges have experience as:

• Former gymnasts

• Gymnastics coaches

• Gym owners

However, you do not have to be a former gymnast to become a judge.

Some individuals become interested through coaching or years of involvement in the sport.

The First Step: Learning the Rules

Every governing organization has a detailed rule book.

For example, USAG judges study the Women's Development Program Code of Points and compulsory materials.

These resources explain:

• Required skills

• Deduction values

• Mobility requirements

• Routine expectations

• Scoring procedures

Many new judges spend months learning these materials before taking their first exam.

Certification Exams

Judges must pass written examinations to earn certification.

These exams test knowledge of:

• Rules

• Deductions

• Routine requirements

• Scoring procedures

In USAG, judges receive ratings that determine what levels they are qualified to judge.

Higher ratings generally require more advanced testing and experience.

Continuing Education

One thing many parents don't realize is that judges never stop learning.

Gymnastics rules change regularly.

To remain certified, judges often must:

• Attend clinics

• Complete continuing education

• Participate in training sessions

• Renew certifications

This helps maintain consistency across competitions.

Do Judges Watch Videos?

Absolutely.

Many judges spend significant time reviewing routines and practicing deductions.

Video review helps judges develop consistency and improve their ability to identify errors quickly during live competition.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Judge?

The timeline varies, but becoming a highly experienced judge often takes years.

Like coaching, judging is a skill that improves through experience.

The more routines a judge evaluates, the better they become at identifying deductions accurately and consistently.

Why Do Scores Sometimes Differ?

One of the most common questions parents ask is:

"Why did my gymnast get a 9.4 last weekend and a 9.0 this weekend?"

Several factors can contribute:

• Different judging panels

• Different competition environments

• Different execution errors

• Slight variations in routine performance

Judges strive for consistency, but gymnastics is not scored by computers. It involves trained professionals applying deductions based on what they observe in real time.

Final Thoughts

Gymnastics judges play a critical role in the sport. Becoming a judge requires education, testing, practice, and ongoing training. The next time you see judges sitting at the end of the runway or beside the beam, remember that they have invested countless hours learning the rules and developing the skills needed to evaluate routines fairly.

Got your interest? Take a closer look at how they score...