Judge Feedback

[Del Rykert]

I also concur 100% with Terry's insight. I have been on the receiving end of appreciate comments from Don Lowe at the nats. I had no clue, no coaches from home area why I was receiving such terrible scores. Don pointed out some mistakes I was doing consistently and my flying didn't improve at the Nats. I took what he said to heart because other competitors asked what he said (and added who he was) so if he said that you should address these things then you should listen. I did and didn't give up on pattern. I was that disgusted because I was so busy flying I couldn't see the errors that were causing my downgrades. I am thankful that transpired. I do agree judges need to temper and be ever so careful not to give an unfair advantage to some and not others.. But when u se someone stumbling so bad and at bottom of heap and know they could improve with some basic advice it hurts not to share so I do share.. 
 
                         del 
               NSRCA - 473


From: Terry Terrenoire 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Cc: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 8:55 PM
  Subject: Re: Judge Feedback


  While I certainly respect Earl's comments, he has a long history that gives him some insite, I cold not disagree more. Taken as a whole they have great merit, but i don't see them applying to the Sportsman level. I some cases I have seen Sportsman entrants fly maneuvers the way they believed they should look, but were completely wrong. most of the constructive criticisms I have rendered from the chair were of a very general nature. "establish a line between manuvers", "call box entries and exits" "if you get the wings level before entry your loops will be easier to keep on path"

  I don't think the judes will be saying anything that causes conflict between them when critiquing at the Sportsman level. All the comments I have made to these pilots has been genuinely appreciated.

  We have to remember that a lot of them have noone at their home field to help them. They may be trying this for the first time, and if we can give them some good help, it may bring them back!!

  Terry T.


  On Wed, 12 Jan 2005 08:15:04 -0600 "Earl Haury" <ehaury at houston.rr.com> writes:
    Here are some considerations regarding judges providing feedback to competitors the we should address. 

    The key word is "competitors". Judges score individuals performances in competitions that are held to ascertain the relative skills of competitors to perform according to stated rules and descriptions. Being a competition - one should assume that flyers present their patterns to the unbiased judge sets and the let scores describe the ranking. 

    The presumption is that the competitors arrive prepared to compete. Those who have worked the hardest on this preparation will (and should) generally excel. A pattern contest isn't intended to be a training ground, but a review of achievement and peer comparison. Judges who provide feedback have good intentions, but there are questions that deserve attention. Isn't the job of the judge to provide the correct score for each maneuver? Is it appropriate for the judge to (mis)direct attention to make notations for post flight feedback? Will the feedback be consistent to all competitors, or "buddy biased"? Is it fair to my competition for judges to point out my errors so that I can correct them in subsequent flights? If judges with largely different scores on a specific maneuver offer feedback and disagree - then what? In the latter, will this disagreement influence a judge to change standards mid-round? What if some wish to discuss feedback, or argue with it, at the expense of  delaying the next flight?  What if this agitates the judges and you're next up? 

    I realize that the gist of the feedback issue is to benefit the newbie, but the above points apply here also. We seem to accept that anyone, without practice or proper equipment or preparation (reading the rules), should be able to fly successfully in some form of "beginner" class. This doesn't happen - and we've fiddled with the rules of the beginner class for years to little avail. Unfortunately, the judges feedback at a contest isn't going to help the unprepared. What will help is mentoring - but not from the judges chair! 

    The best place to help the newbie is at the practice field where everything can be addressed. Coach these folks, provide feedback and assistance. Judge flights, take notes, and critique. Help trim their airplane, be supportive with equipment maintenance, etc. Get them prepared for those first contests, call for them, critique their flights, evaluate their scores, help them in every way as a coach and friend, and pattern will gain in numbers. Just don't do this from the judges chair - judging is the only job then. 

    Earl


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