CrossFit’s worldwide presence has transformed its “constantly varied, high intensity, and function movement” mission into a bona fide sport.  Local throwdowns, annual events, and the CrossFit Games have inspired near-and-far competition for your everyday box-goer.  With CrossFit’s status as a sport, standardizing movement requirements and rule compliance is a necessity, which is why each individual and team receives a personal judge during all competitions.  A judge has the following two roles: ensure movement standards and count repetitions.  The judge’s role is crucial to providing fair competition across all events. 
            In May 2017, I had my first opportunity to attend the CrossFit Regionals competition in Nashville, TN.  The energy was electric, and I longed to have a role at the event.  I left the event with the goal to judge at a CrossFit Regionals competition.  I had the opportunity to judge at local events, such as CrossFit Carmel’s “Gorgeous Ladies of CrossFit” (“GLOC”) and “Teen Rumble” to confirm that I enjoyed the judging experience.  To further my resume, so to speak, I wanted to cut my teeth on a large-event judging experience.  Thus, Kill Cliff’s “Granite Games” competition became a destination of mine in September, 2017.
            An eleven-hour drive and several Americanos later, I was instructed on my volunteer duties listed above.  In my event arena, I was supported by two “Head Judges” and a “Team Lead.”  These individuals would give me guidance throughout the weekend to uphold standards, whether it was squat depth or illegally moving equipment pieces.  The most impactful thing I learned, though, was the concept of a judge being a “story teller.”  Noah, a Head Judge, explained that judges tell the story of the workout.  When a judge enforces an athlete to roll the bar to the next station, he’s telling a story; when a judge visually gives a no rep, he’s telling a story; and when he counts down the final five reps on his visible hand, he’s telling a story.  All the judge’s actions communicate to the audience the story of the workout—who is progressing, who is failing, and where each athlete is in the middle of the workout.  Once a judge becomes competent in ensuring standards and counting reps, he or she can hone the craft by becoming a great story teller for the audience and announcers.
            Overall, my Granite Games experience was phenomenal.  The staff took very good care of all volunteers, and I first-hand witnessed some incredible professional CrossFit athletes.  My greatest appreciation goes out to the Head Judges I had the privilege to work with; they were adept at their role, and they sought to provide individual feedback to volunteers about how to improve as a judge.  With my eyes on CrossFit Regionals in the near future, I hope to continue judging to advance CrossFit as a competitive sport, locally and widespread.

Coach Josh Womack