DTD Color Guard Scoresheets

Contents

Download This Sheet

CLICK HERE to download the most up-to-date version of this scoresheet for “UNIVERSAL” JROTC use! (You can always direct your judging team to OMIT the Uncasing procedure!)

CLICK HERE to download the most up-to-date version of this scoresheet for NAVY JROTC use!

Overview

In this article, you will learn how to utilize our proprietary Color Guard scoresheet. This sheet is a tool that we have found increases judge engagement while balancing the need to be exacting and precise in evaluation while also giving meaningful, actionable feedback to competing teams. Whether you are briefing a team of judges or interested in implementing our scoresheet at your own meet, this primer is designed to teach you how to best utilize our scoring tool!

Our scoresheet can be used with ANY SEQUENCE OF COLOR GUARD COMMANDS. The example below utilizes commands for NJROTC competition circuit but ANY series of commands can be substituted making our scoresheet 100% customizable to any drill meet!

HOSTS USING THIS SCORESHEET: We recommend projecting this article to your judges and literally reading it word for word while they follow along on their own printed scoresheets!

The Scoresheet and Its Parts

Our scoresheet can look overwhelming at first but once you have a handle of its various parts, using it to score competing Color Guard teams is very intuitive and easy! Here are its parts:

1 – Judge’s Name: Each judge should sign their name to each scoresheet BEFORE they begin evaluating a team. This provides accountability and transparency to both the host and the competitors!
2 – School Name & Division: This area should be populated with the information for each competing team. School name is self-explanatory. If applicable, be sure to circle which color guard DIVISION (typically “Male/Mixed” or “Female” for NJROTC meets and “Unarmed” or “Armed” for other meets.) “UNARMED” does NOT mean that the color guard will compete without drill rifles. It simply means that the team is associated with the unarmed drill team for purposes of adding event scores towards an overall finish for that team.
3 – Cadet Commander Initials: The Head Judge should approach the cadet commander and obtain a signature verifying that the school and/or team name listed on the scoresheet is indeed accurate. Field Judges do NOT have this item.
4 – Drill Command Sequence Scores: This is the list of commands the team will perform. Our sheet can accommodate any drill sequence. The cadets will complete these commands in the order listed here. For each command, you will assign a number within the stated range for each category of evaluation listed on this rubric. A singular number should be placed in the box corresponding to the appropriate range. A helpful key has been provided as well as a QR code that helps everyone understand the 3 levels of drill teams!
5 – Penalties: This area lists penalties. Judges will acknowledge the NUMBER of violations in each relevant category (NOT their point deduction values). ONLY the Head Judge scoresheet will be used to assess penalties. Field Judges have the same area for their own UNOFFICIAL observations. They should confer with the Head Judge to record a consensus from all judges.
i – Instructions: This is a helpful summary of the steps to utilize this scoresheet!

The Process of Scoring a Team

In a timely fashion, sign your name to the scoresheet (1) and add the appropriate school and/or team name to the top of the scoresheet (2).
HEAD JUDGES ONLY obtain cadet commander initials in the appropriate box (3 on their sheet).
As the team performs the sequence, utilize the Color Guard Command Sequence (4 on the HJ sheet, 3 on the FJ sheets) area to assign scores to each command. Use the helpful scoring descriptions to determine if the conduct of the team NEEDS IMPROVEMENT (orange), is PROFICIENT (green), or is EXCELLENT (blue.) Don’t forget to assign scores to the Cadet Commander AND the Overall Presentation of the team.
As the team performs, ALL judges should make “tick” marks in the Penalties section (5 on the HJ sheet, 4 on the FJ sheets) to track the various penalties. Refer to the meet host to clarification on what constitutes each penalty.
As final scoring is being completed, all judges should confer on penalties they marked throughout the performance. Use the HEAD JUDGE’S scoresheet to record the official number of ticks marked for penalties.
Turn the scoresheet in to whoever is collecting them for the host!

Conclusion

This scoresheet allows each judge to provide targeted feedback per command. Because the nature of the Color Guard event is SUSTAINED excellence, teams need to understand on which specific movements they need to focus.

Our scoresheet helps judges quickly follow the drill sequence while also allowing them to provide specific, targeted feedback for unit improvement!

Let’s Practice

COMING SOON

This module is part of The Definitive Guide to Judging Drill Meets!

Updated on February 18, 2025

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