NBTA International Inc. Judging

NBTA International Inc. Judging

AYOP
2025

Interested in judging at AYOP 2025?

Please click and download the Judging Interest Form below and follow the submission instructions.
Return deadline is May 1, 2025.

Judges Corner webinars

Judges Corner are webinar events for judges to learn from each other and connect.

All judges are invited to participate in the webinars, hosted by other talented NBTA International Inc. judges. If you are a judge and interested in attending a webinar, click the button to sign up. Instructions and information on joining the webinar will be sent to those who have registered.

We also want to encourage any judges interested in presenting a topic to reach out to nbtainternationaljudges@gmail.com with your thoughts and ideas! We will provide as much support in running each program as needed.

We're looking forward to these opportunities to gather (virtually) and keep the baton conversation spinning!

current list of nbta international’s active judges:

This is the current list of NBTA International judges who are paid and in good standing. In the interest of keeping our NBTA International community cohesive while striving for the highest quality judging at our events, only judges who are in good standing are eligible to judge for NBTA International contests and competitions. Contest Directors please take note.

Please reach out to Judges Commissioner Nancy DeCosmo Locke at nbtainternationaljudges@gmail.com if you believe your name has been omitted in error or if you have any questions about this list.

For any questions regarding judging, please reach out to nbtainternationaljudges@gmail.com.

Below are a number of items not only for judges, but for coaches, teachers, parents, and twirlers, to better understand the sport and how NBTA International Inc. competitions are to be judged. 

Judging Ethics

  1. Rise above personal interests.

  2. Preserve the INTEGRITY of baton twirling.

  3. Protect twirling’s true uniqueness and not allow other twirling disciplines to supersede its main trunk of solo twirling.

  4. Champion NBTA International Inc.’s high aims and to further baton twirling as a beneficial, worthwhile sport and youth activity.

  5. Foster dignity and a high image for twirling.

  6. Stand tall for what is right and not only expedient.

  7. Lead by personal example.

  8. Guide the future of baton twirling skillfully, artfully, and respectfully.

  9. Tactfully resolve differences.

  10. Further NBTA International Inc.’s leadership aims of safety and integrity. 

Dress in a professional manner (business casual attire) and arrive at any event at least 30 minutes ahead of time.

  1. Bring all needed supplies: pens, stopwatch, copy of NBTA International Inc. rules, blank master sheets 

  2. Be familiar with all NBTA International Inc. rules and procedures 

  3. Line up a clerk ahead of time if contest director is not providing you one

  4. Before the event, alert the director to any division you should not judge. If you have a connection to contestants, please remove yourself from judging that division. Connections include, but are not limited to: 

    • Personal connection

    • Former student or team member/corps member within the past 12 months

    • Private lessons given within past 12 months

    • Current student (individual or team/corps member) 

    • Family member of the athlete

    • Family member to the coach of the athlete

Judging Responsibilities

We have a moral and ethical responsibility to each athlete. 

Athletes need to know that, when they take the competition floor,
they are being met with the highest possible level of commitment and integrity.