With our dedication to a transparent scoring process, we're posting the Varsity All Star Judges Training Video.
This video is sent to many of our judges as an additional resource in training and understanding the Varsity Score Sheet. There is no 'secret rubric' or 'inside information' for understanding the Varsity All Star Score Sheet. What you see is what you get!
Justin Carrier, Vice President of Varsity All Star, played a key role in the development and implementation of the Varsity All Star Score Sheet. He recently hosted a question and answer session for gym owners and coaches regarding the score sheet. Here are some of the Frequently Asked Questions.
Q: For Levels 4 and 5, if you have a stunt with several elements including a tick tock, switch up, another release, etc., how much more difficulty will you score with a 2nd stunt with an elite element?
JC: I think the more important question is "what are the best teams at this level performing? If you already have two elite stunt transitions, performing one more might not be worth the time, energy and 8 counts it eats up to do another stunt. Multiple elite transitions performed by almost the entire team will likely get your difficulty score on the high end of your range. Using another 4 8-counts of choreography to do another stunt, mathematically, can only increase your score so much.
Q: If you have an athlete that is in a boot or cast but your team is still able to throw the max number of stunts and tumbling passes based on team size, is it OK to keep them in so they can still perform. Is it better to have them hide in the back during jumps, tumbling and stunts? Or is it better to take them completely out and rework formations?
JC: There are two factors to consider, and the factor that is more important should dictate your decision. Factor 1-What does this ATHLETE or the ATHLETE's family need? For her self esteem, does she NEED to be in the routine that weekend? Factor 2- How distracting is her presence. If she can't move quickly to and from each formation, it might be wise to keep her out. If you are worried that the judges will take off because 25 instead of 26 girls did the triple toe touch, then DON'T WORRY. Having one girl stepping out of a skill would have minimal impact on your score. If you think she can still add overall effect to the routine, it might be a good idea to leave her in.
Q: Can you tell us trends that Varsity has moved or is moving towards that judges will be looking for that can affect how they score? Also, what is something we may not realize has changed on the score sheet this season (if anything)?
JC: We've tried to apply very few changes to last season's score sheet. The main reason for that is to have a year where we can all benefit from the learning curve that comes along with anything new. The biggest change this season is that bobbles in stunts, tumbling passes that touch out, and very shaky skills are no longer being score in the "Technique" column of the score sheet subjectively. Those examples are now categorized as 'BOBBLES' and will be quantified by the Point Deduction judge and allotted a .5 deduction for each occurrence. To that point, the panel judges are being urged to IGNORE those bobbles once they occur. The "Technique" category should only be a reflection of the technique of the skills that DID NOT bobble. Naturally, this is a challenge for the judges to separate the idea of TECHNIQUE, as opposed to EXECUTION.
Q: In pyramids, are the judges looking for a certain number of "structures" with transitions between?
JC: The only place Varsity requires a certain number of structures to qualify for a point range are at Level 4 (6-7) and Level 5 (8-9). Other than that, the judges aren't counting your structures. I think the best pyramids have a perfect balance of structures and transitions. Bottom line, do the elements required to get INTO the range, then worry about having the best pyramid out there.
Q: In level 4, does a half up by the top person in conjunction with a half turn by the bases score as a full up to extended position?
JC: In reference to half up with a half turn (aka: half/half or 'fake ups'), the skills DOES qualify your team for mastering an "elite" stunt transition. That being said, it's possible that the judges will score you on the LOW end of the difficulty range (because that skill is not as difficult) and its possible your technique score could suffer if the twisting section of the transition is slow moving and noticeably ineffective.
Q: In reference to variety of baskets in levels 3 through 5, Is there a certain number of these (like a majority)?
JC: The only place a judge has to decide between two ranges is at Level 5. At Levels 2-4, as long as a majority is involved in performing level appropriate tosses, you will be placed in a single point range. In a perfect world, you would perform one toss with almost the entire team involved, in addition to some other tosses throughout the routine (for example: during the pyramid, behind the cheer formation, etc.).
Q: In level 3, is doing a show-n-go 360 to sponge going to outscore the same as a show-n-go 360 to prep.?
JC: It's difficult to track the answer to that question since your stunt score is comprised of so many different elements, such as your load in, body positions, variety, dismount, etc. If you want my personal opinion, a PERFECT 360 to prep would be valued more than a PERFECT 360 to sponge. That being said, I would ALWAYS make the choice for the skill that makes your team look the best. Don't perform the 360 to prep if one stunt group can never hit it and 2 other stunt groups have top persons that bend their legs every time they are caught.
Q: For level 2, in standing tumbling, would a series of back handsprings with a pause between or would a back walkover through to back handspring score higher?
JC: We don't specify whether or not a series (with a pause) back handspring or a back walkover back handspring would score higher. Personally, I appreciate the variety of the back walkover back handspring, since in the series (with a pause) example, you are just performing the same skill twice.
Q: We recently attended a competition where two judges wrote on the score sheet "don't sing parts of the songs!". My girls are told to do "natural face expressions" so we are not a team of overdone facials. Did I miss something this summer concerning judges and what they are looking for?
JC: We do not tell the judges to make comments or that we "don't like it" when athletes mouth the words to songs. I don't know your routine or situation, but I will tell you that there have been plenty of times that I have been distracted by the amount of lip syncing that some teams and some athletes incorporate. A good rule of thumb would be if something is going on so long or so noticeably that it distracts the judge from appreciating the entire TEAM, it might be smart to scale it back.
Q: In level 2 baskets, is it legal to arch in a straight ride basket?
JC: In Level 2, it is legal to do a natural arch out of your straight ride toss. It is ILLEGAL to exaggerate the arch to a point that the toss no longer resembles a straight ride.
Q: Are full ups, tick tocks and express ups considered a level 4 entry now and if so does one count for more than the other? I believe people do it because they think they need to for the score sheet. Can you give us an example of a high range level 5 entry on the score sheet?
JC: Coaches often refer to "Level 4 entries" and "Level 5 entries". Remember, the Varsity Scoring System doesn't categorize transitions that way. If you look on the 2nd page of the scoring grid, we outline the differences between an "Advanced" and an "Elite" transition. The skills you listed (full ups, tick tocks, express ups, etc) are STILL considered "Elite". But what's happening in our industry that ISN'T listed is the evolution of even more difficult stunt sequences. 3 years ago, the best teams in the country were performing (for example) a full up to an extended two leg stunt. That sequence was scoring at the top of the difficulty grid. Fast forward to the present: EVERY team is performing at least one elite transition, many are doing two, and it's not uncommon to witness a squad performing at least 3 with flawless perfection. That shifts the judges perception on what should score high. We are seeing more one and a half ups, more high to high tick tocks, and overall, more dynamic transitions.
Q: Is there a set number of in level skills being looked for in each level for stunts/ pyramids? Or should you do as many as you can?
JC: The scoring grid on is listed online at http://varsity.all.star.com/scoring lists the skills needed to get INTO a range. For Stunts, only one elite entry is required for the 8-9 (Level 5). But doing multiple elite entries might be the key to scoring HIGH in the difficulty range. I would also pay close attention to what your competition is doing. Your goal shouldn't be to just scrape by and get into the range, your goal should be to have the best STUNT/PYRAMID sequence at the competition.
Q: In level 3 pyramids, which would be considered more difficult in the score sheet, suspended tick tocks or suspended back split rolls?
JC: All things relatively consistent, a tic tock might be more difficult, but I think the back split roll might be more VISUAL. My personal opinion, go with the back split roll. But overall, decide what your pyramid falls short of: difficulty or visual appeal and add the corresponding element.
Q: Have you or the event producers considered having the Worlds Score Sheet and the level 5 score sheets match up during the course of the season?
JC: Long term, our ultimate goal is to create a score sheet that compliments (or is) the Worlds Score Sheet. A lot of coaches and experts helped create the current Varsity score sheet, it's been relatively consistent in rewarding teams appropriately. While the Worlds score sheet has its strengths, it hasn't been practiced and proven to a point that we feel comfortable switching all of our brands over.
Q: In level 4, if there are 4 tosses being thrown (2 kick fulls and 2 toss doubles ripple 2 then 2) how will they be scored? Also, what if there are just single tosses spread out in the opening and tumbling sequence.
JC: That toss sequence will be scored in the 6-7 range for difficulty. If those are your ONLY tosses in the routine, I would GUESS your difficulty score would be mid to upper mid 6's. Teams that basket throughout the routine and show a strong variety will probably score at the highest end of the range.