đ§ââïž The myth of "bought out" judges: let's demystify together what really happens behind the judges' table (S1.11)
- janie724
- Jun 29
- 3 min read
Episode of March 26, 2024
In the world of cheerleading, we often hear this famous phrase:
"The judges are bought out." But is that really the case? Do some teams always win because they are "liked" by the judges? Episode 11 of the Kick's Cheer Podcast with veteran judge Mimi , better known as "Judge Mimi," sets the record straight and clarifies several misconceptions.
The judges are... focused, not angry! đ =đ€
A point that comes up a lot: judges sometimes seem angry or cold. But it's not at all a question of attitude. Mimi explains that during a competition, time is extremely limited. A judge has barely a few minutes to look at a team, take notes, and write a clear and useful commentary. The result? He's in intense concentration mode. If he's not smiling, it's not because he likes you less, but because he's absorbed in his task.
No downtime: the judges' rhythm.
A competition is a well-oiled machine. As soon as one team leaves the mat, another is about to enter. Meanwhile, the judges must finalize their evaluation, write their comments, and be ready for the next team. There's no time to hang out or socialize. So no, they don't leave the room because they're snobbish or disinterested. They often run back to their table to be ready for the next team.
The appearance of conflict of interest: a very serious point.
Judges, like Mimi, are very aware of the importance of impartiality. Even a simple happy hour with a team the night before a competition can give the impression of favouritism, even if there isn't any. For this reason, they will avoid any situation that could harm their integrity, even if it means saying no to a photo or a conversation in the hallway.
Does knowing someone change a score? đŻ
Not at all. Mimi says it herself: "Honestly, I don't even recognize the kids on the mat." With the identical uniforms, the distance between the judges' table and the stage, and the fast pace, it's very difficult to make a personal connection between an athlete and their face. And even if they did remember a child, the scoring criteria are there to frame the judgment. There are objective elements (like the number of cops in a tumbling) and more subjective ones (like energy or overall presentation), but they are always evaluated in a comparative and professional manner.
Scores don't fall from the sky. đ
Judges often keep their first five sheets without writing down scores right away to create a benchmark. They then compare them to establish a fair ranking. Yes, mistakes can happen (for example, writing "0.2" instead of "2.0" on the computer), but these errors are detected and corrected quickly, often even before the coaches have to ask a question.
A work of passion
Being a judge is not a full-time job. They are passionate people who work during the week, travel on weekends, judge all day, and then go back to work on Monday morning. Mimi, for example, wants to continue judging for a long time, even after retirement, and dreams of being able to do so in other countries.
Want to become a judge? Here's how!
Mimi encourages young athletes to continue growing in sports.
Be an athlete;
Become a coach if you can, at different levels;
Observe routines, consume cheer content;
Go get your certification. In short, live cheer to the fullest, and above all, be passionate!
Bottom line: judges aren't sellouts; they're human (and very busy).
What this podcast episode shows us is that judges aren't perfect or biased, but they do a rigorous job within a very structured framework. So the next time your team doesn't get the score you hoped for, instead of pointing fingers at the judges, ask yourself what you can improve on. Maybe it's a technical tweak, an energy boost, or simply something you can incorporate for next time.
Thank you, Mimi, for your transparency and dedication to cheer! đ
đ§ Episode 11 of the Kick's Cheer Podcastâa must-listen!
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