I'm Judging you... except I'm really not

         Thursday's IHC was an interesting learning experience.  I'm used to/okay with having to watch someone to give feedback on what they're doing well, and what they can improve upon, but having to watch to judge and award points is difficult.  Kudos to all of you who judge year after year.

        I really had to force myself to look at the person and go off of the basics: stances, strikes/hands, intensity, eyes, flow, and harmonies; and worry less about sequence or correcting.  Although sometimes giving feedback can help them in the future when they are performing.  To then have to do that for multiple people and place them where you think they rank accordingly was daunting.  Perhaps the best way for me going forward, is looking at judging almost the same way I do when I'm watching to give feedback.  What things are they doing well, what things can they improve upon, and what leaves a lasting impression good or bad.  Is the last thing I see something that needs improving on?  That may affect my score, versus having a rough start but a strong finish.  

        As a competitor, it makes me think where my strong and weak points are, and where they are at in my form.  If my strongest section is at the beginning and my finish is weak, that probably won't score me well.  It is making me look at my forms a little deeper and seeing where I can emphasize my strengths, and where I need to polish to make my weaker sections look stronger.  Basically it is a lesson in Eye for Detail.  Utilizing that eye for detail for myself, and for others.

        Last comment here, to my teammates who were nervous or blanked, you all did amazing.  I don't know if it is any easier being watched my a small, intimate group of your peers, or by a panel of black belts.  We're all rooting for you and wanting you to succeed, so regardless of where you get placed in the rankings, don't perceive it as a failure.  Take it as a learning opportunity and a place of growth from getting out of your comfort zone, and also remember that we're comparing apples to every other fruit and veggie there is.