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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>The list has been a bit quiet - maybe this will
help. The Nats are just around the corner and include the F3A Team Selections.
F3A scoring is different than AMA in that maneuver scores are recorded in whole
points - no half points. But just what does this mean? Is every errant movement
a whole point deduction? Consider the 1 point deduction for each 15 degree error
guide - how is a 5 degree error scored? It's important that everyone be on the
same page with this.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>I suggest that while the rules require
<STRONG><U>recording</U></STRONG> the score in whole points there is no
requirement or limit as to the magnitude of
<STRONG><U>downgrades</U></STRONG> applied to individual errors by a
judge. A judge is free to use whatever fraction deemed appropriate.
</FONT><FONT face=Arial>Logically, a 5 degree error requires a 1/3 point
downgrade, 10 degrees a 2/3, and so on. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>The 1 for 15 guide doesn't allow a "free" zone of less
than 15 degrees where no downgrade is applied and, similarly, doesn't mean small
errors of a few degrees are downgraded a whole point.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>OK - so only one 5 degree error is observed for an
entire maneuver, how is this recorded? Ask this - is there a whole point
deduction, is the deduction even near a whole point? No - then recorded the
score for the maneuver a 10! The rules don't require a perfect maneuver for a 10
- just less than a whole point deduction. OTOH - a 10 degree error only would be
scored a 9 as it's nearer a whole point and would be rounded down. Half
point deductions present a bit of a quandary (one mathematical convention
is to round to the even number) and I don't use them for
F3A. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>What works best for me is a 1/3 point downgrade
for small errors which is consistent with a 5 degree error. I find this an
easy measure to tally elemental downgrades during the maneuver and eliminates
questions with rounding as the score is recorded. </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Earl</FONT></DIV>
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