A Judge's Tips for Success while Competing at Scottish Games

by Rick Wilson; Guest Author from www.onlinedrummajor.com

The difference between 1st and 2nd place, or even placing and not-placing, is often a fraction of a point.  Little things can make a significant difference.  As a judge and former competitor, I'm often asked what a drum major can do to improve their placements. Here's what I tell them:

1. Be smart in your uniform choices.

One thing to remember is that your uniform can either set yourself-up for success or blow your chances well before you ever step-off in competition.  The uniform inspection produces 20% of your score.  Every missed detail can cost you a half point.  These can add-up quickly.  It is demoralizing to leave inspection knowing that you have already dropped five points before you even get in front of an audience.

While Full (No. 1) Dress looks great (and you will have people asking to have their picture taken with you all day), it is not the mark of a smart competitor.  You get very few plus points for the more elaborate dress.  What you do get is approximately twice as many opportunities for errors.

One thing to keep in mind is that the scoring system is based on penalties for errors rather than adding points for things done well.  For example, you do not get added points for having a Sgian Dubh.  You can, however lose points for improper placement or anything less than perfect appearance.

It gains you nothing and potentially loses points.  It is not worth it.

Smart competitors soon have a sleek, stripped-down look.  They have nothing that is not necessary.  What they have is presented flawlessly.  That is why most compete in Day Wear Dress.

I know one competitor who after having problems with his kilt pin placement, removed the kilt pin and moved his competitor number over where the kilt pin would have gone.  His problem was solved.

2. Project being a winner.

When you meet someone for the first time, you size them up in the first ten seconds.  Judges do the same thing.  They are evaluating whether you are a real contender or just another competitor in the middle of the pack.  Project confidence.  Be certain in what you say and do.

Try this at your next competition.  As a heat of competitors lines up, look them over and place them top to bottom.  Now, watch them compete and compare your first impression with the last one.  You will see that your first impressions are usually pretty accurate.

If your first impression isn't great, it is difficult to change someone's mind.  It is far easier for someone to think: "Yes. I thought they were really good and they are."  It is more difficult for someone to think: "Well, I thought they would be painfully average, but they are amazingly good!"

So, make it easier on yourself and be sure you give a good first impression.  It will help you get overall higher scores.

3. Lead with your best material.

Put your strongest spinning routine first.  As a judge, it is exceptionally difficult to look at five competitors at the same time.  So, the first routine is where you quickly assess who are the strongest competitors.  They naturally get a bit more of your attention throughout the heat.

Now I know that this may not be "Fair" but it is reality.  You attempt to scan the group and give an even evaluation, but your eye tends to return to the strongest competitors since you need to be more discerning as to who is 1st or 2nd.

As a competitor, your strategy should be to quickly establish yourself as a top contender as quickly as possible.

4. End Strongly.

After the first impression, the last one is the most vital.  If you've used your best routine at the start, use your next best routine to end.  This is where you finish off and when the judge is usually making their final decisions.  The stronger your finish, the better your score.

5. Perform what you know you can do well.

A key factor in the scoring sheets is not just what you do, but how well you do it.  I have seen competitors who, in an attempt to make a desperate grab for first place, try moves and throws that they haven't mastered.  Usually, this simply creates errors in Marching and Deportment or dropped equipment.

Spend the practice time needed to perfect your routines and then stick with what you know you can execute well.  The penalties for errors are high and are the usual causes for someone to drop from contention.

If you can only land a high throw half the time, that means that five out of ten times you will drop and take penalties.  Of the remaining five times, probably three will be slightly flawed, still possibly creating penalties.  That means it might work only two out of ten times.  The question is, even if you beat the odds and avert disaster, will this add enough to your score to make a difference?  The usual answer is an emphatic, no!

Practice your routines so you can execute them with the precision of a Swiss watch.  Then stick to your plan and have a precise performance when it counts.   

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