Currently, judging strategies are not fully developed. However, standards are in the works as major snowboarding organizations are attempting to join forces and create the best system. Changes will likely be made in certain areas as they develop, but don't worry about the following information being outdated or inaccurate. The basis of this section demonstrates major concepts and ideas pertinent to snowboard judging which are unlikely to change.

Presently, the judging system is transgressing from older methods. In the past, five judges gave an overall score and the high and the low scores were thrown out; much like in figure skating. However, due to the nature of snowboard competition, such a system lent itself to complete disaster and the results were inaccurate at best. Imagine having to watch over a hundred snowboard runs and rank them in order from first to last. Quite impossible. There are too many factors to take into consideration. Not even the most skilled judge could perform such a difficult task.

One possible solution, was the idea of individual maneuvers carrying specific point values. Unfortunately, this idea was found to be limiting and quite unrealistic. How do you rank tricks according to point value and expect judges to recognize, tabulate, and keep track of such numbers? Also, in order to keep it fair, it would make sense to require a set number of tricks to be performed in a certain order. Plus, everyone would need to adhere to the same routine. Again, this is similar to figure skating. Clearly, this is not desirable. The riders want to be able to do whatever they want, be original, and develop new tricks. That's what freestyle is all about. You shouldn't have to plan your halfpipe run around the ideas of others.

Obviously, if halfpipe competition is ever going to advance into a respected event, something needs to be done. Unfortunately, halfpipe competitions are particularly difficult to judge. Fluid changes are always occurring with the rapid evolution of the sport. This brings snowboarding to a new level, not seen before in any world organized competition. It allows creativity, unpredictability, and originality. In fact, to a certain degree, in no other Olympic sport are you allowed to drop in on a course and just do whatever you want. The concept of freestyle is strong among snowboarders; and it is exactly what they want to maintain. Thus, the judging system must accommodate for this type of competition. It must be well balanced, thorough, accurate, and allow for constant change.

As a current solution, the judges have been divided into separate categories. If each judge is responsible for only one criteria, it makes his job easier to manage, as well as allowing for a smaller margin of error. Such a system lends itself to a higher degree of accuracy, provided the judges are trained correctly. It also allows the riders to understand the break down of their run. They can see in what areas they are strong, and in what areas they need improvement. Presently, the five judging criteria are based on the following: Standard Maneuvers, Rotational Maneuvers, Amplitude, Landings, and Overall/Technical Merit. Each judge may give 10 points for a total score of 50 points. Combine this with another run and you have a two run combined maximum score of 100 points.

Over all, the system works as an integration of checks and balances where no one judge has more weight or power, and thus neither does one judging criteria. For example, someone cannot get a high score by only going high and impressing the amplitude judge, or by only doing rotations and impressing the rotations judge. Therefore, in order to get the most amount of points, the rider needs to impress all judges by making sure to do well in each criteria. Also, every judge plays an important role in forming an overall score. Therefore, it becomes difficult to get a high total score if don't do rotations, or if you don't get high above the lip. If you do not impress each judge, your total score will be compromised significantly. A good halfpipe run is not based on any one thing, but it is based on everything as a whole. The key concept is balance... this is what makes a good halfpipe run, and this is what the riders want.

The next problem presented to a jury is: What is ideal and what is not? That is, what are the judges looking for? Of course each judge is looking for the kinds of things outlined by his criteria, but lets look at a few major concepts.

First, we have the concept of "variety." If the athlete can do a large number of different tricks, he shows a high mastery of the sport and is thus better than someone who can do a limited number of maneuvers. Variety is very important. A second concept is "difficulty." A good rider must be able to perform tricks that are difficult. In addition, not only should the rider be able to perform those tricks requiring high skill, but also to perform every maneuver in a difficult manner. Third, each trick must be performed with ideal execution. This is where discrepancies in judging are constantly being challenged. What is ideal execution? The answer is: it is up to the discretion of the judge. Such is the nature of a judged competition. For example, one who performs a method air by barely bending his knees and just touching his board, has not performed the trick in a difficult and well executed manner compared to someone who grabs his board, pulls it over his head, holds it, and straightens his legs.

Obviously, experience and observation are the keys when it comes to judging execution, as well as difficulty. Therefore, it becomes important that we stress the importance of judge training. The best snowboarder in the world may also be the worst judge. If a judge isn't properly trained, his scores will reflect it in their inaccuracy.

Now that we have a better understanding of what problems are presented to the judges and what solutions have been offered, let's continue to learn more about competing in the next section.

Part Two: Difficulty, Execution, and Variety
Part Three: Winning in a Nutshell