The DTD Judging Basic Skills Test

Instructions

Whether for your own edification or to qualify for a DTD Judging Opportunity, this assessment is designed to ensure that you have read and understood the material found in The Definitive Guide to Judging Drill Meets.

To have your test officially graded, please answer each of the following questions and submit your responses either via the DTD Network Discord Server OR via email to matt@jrotcdrillteamtraining.com with the subject line “Judging Test!”

The Mindset of a Drill Meet Judge

1. Which fictional character appears in the Overview of this article?
2. In a few sentences, summarize why the role of a judge is so important.
3. What should you NEVER do regarding any cadet and how should you NEVER treat any cadet?
4. Fill in the Blank: Judges are first and foremost _______.
5. In your own words, what motivates you to be a drill meet judge? 

The Point of Judging

1. Fill in the Blanks: The two primary missions of judging are _______ and _______.
2. In your own words, define each of these terms.
3. How do these two missions relate to one another?
4. Fill in the Blanks: _______ and _______ are the two components of any phase of drill.
5. In your own words, define each of these terms.

Judging Flow

1. How soon before the published briefing time is it recommended to arrive on site?
2. In chronological order, what should you do BEFORE a team’s performance?
3. In chronological order, what should you do DURING a team’s performance?
4. In chronological order, what should you do AFTER a team’s performance?
5. Why should a judge never just leave the meet after the last team has performed?

The Three Teams You’ll Judge (The DTD Rating Structure) 

1. Fill in the Blanks: The three general levels of teams are _______, _______, and _______. 
2. In your own words, summarize the characteristics of the LOWEST level of team.
3. In your own words, summarize the characteristics of the HIGHEST level of team.
4. In your own words, summarize the characteristics of the MIDDLE level of team.
5. In your own words, explain the concept COACH/COUNSELOR/CRITIC.

The Judging Process

1. Fill in the Blanks: The three MAIN steps of judging are _______, _______, and _______.
2. In your own words, summarize the FIRST step you listed in question 1.
3. In your own words, summarize the SECOND step you listed in question 1. 
4. In your own words, summarize the THIRD step you listed in question 1. 
5. In the video clips linked in this article, what are the names of the OTHER panelists seated with the main speaker?

All About Scores

1. If a team is being scored out of 20 points in a certain category and you’ve determined they are EXCELLENT, what range of points can you assign to them?
2. In your own words, summarize how a team who is “Not Competition-Ready” differs from one which “Needs Improvement.”
3. In your own words, summarize what it means if a team is “Excellent.”
4. Under what condition(s) could you assign a team a score that indicates they “Set New Standards?”
5. In your own words, summarize how you would determine whether a team is “Proficient.”